Development of bagasse pyrolyzed biochar reinforced polyvinyl alcohol biocomposite films

Abstract

Abstract Biocomposite, a future generation green material, has been applied recently for sustainability and significant advancements have been made to improve its’ mechanical and physical properties. Biochar (BC) reinforced biocomposite films are suitable candidates for various electronic applications as well as medical and packaging applications. However, there still are some considerable drawbacks, like inferior mechanical strength, thickness swell, and rotting that restrict their proper utilization in wider markets. In the present research, an attempt has been taken to alleviate these shortcomings from biocomposite developed by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and bagasse pyrolyzed biochar. Biochar was prepared by pyrolyzing sugarcane bagasse at four different temperatures (4000C, 6000C, 8000C, and 10000C)[1]. The effect of pyrolyzing temperature and biochar loading level (5%, 8% & 12%) on electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties of biocomposite films were studied carefully. Ultimate and proximate analyses were conducted to observe the quality of biochar. The presence of a functional group in bagasse and biochar was investigated by FTIR. The appearance and the disappearance of functional groups by the addition of biocharinto the PVA matrix were also investigated through FTIR.The formation of crystal or amorphous constituents was tested by XRD. XRF results gave mineral contents in biochar. SEM and TGA analyses were done to investigate the surface morphology and thermal stability of biochar respectively. Sugarcane bagasse pyrolyzed biochar reinforced PVA biocomposite films were characterized by SEM, TGA, DSC, UTM, and impedance analyzer. FTIR analysis of biocomposite films revealed that the incorporation of biochar removed the identical peak of PVA matrix. A uniform surface was found for the lower content of biochar and agglomeration and stacking of biochar was observed with the rise of biochar loading level. Thermal properties obtained from TGA and DSC results were improved with pyrolyzing temperature and loading level of biochar. Overall tensile strength reduced with the incorporation of 5 wt.% biochar, however, increased tensile strength gradually for the biochar produced at higher pyrolyzing temperature. The increase in the biochar loading level decreased the tensile strength significantly. The improvement of the electrical property of biocomposite drew much attention. The incorporation of biochar produced at 4000C, 6000C, and 8000C did not give any electrical conductance. Maximum electrical conductance (7.67×10-2S) was shown by 12% addition of biochar obtained at 10000C.