Morphological and thermal properties of composites prepared with poly(lactic acid), poly(ethylene-alt-maleic anhydride), and biochar from microwave-pyrolyzed jatropha seeds

The morphological and thermal properties of composites containing a bioplastic blend micro/nano-sized biochar from pyrolyzed jatropha seeds microwave were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential calorimetry. biocomposite samples exhibited brittle structure with slightly ductile chip-like appearance. spectroscopy results for the PLA/PEMA/BC bio-composites comparable to PLA/BC biocomposites. A lower bio-filler content had more pronounced peak intensities than higher added PEMA compatibilizer in showed peaks, which indicated improved bonding/interaction between matrix. Overall, increasing did not drastically affect functional groups Thermogravimetric calorimetry analysis developed biocomposites slight improvement stability, comparison PLA sample. Improvements stability could be attributed additional hydroxyl group, was due PLA/BC. According biocomposites, reasonable stability.