Biodegradation, Mechanical and Physical Properties of Poly(butylene succinate) and Natural Rubber Compound Blend Filled with Activated Carbon from Coconut Fruit

Activated carbon (AC) was synthesized from coconut fruit and used as a bio-filler in poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and natural rubber compound (NRC) composites. The activation process used a potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution, followed by microwave irradiation. Two KOH concentrations (۱ M and ۳ M) were used, and the obtained AC was labeled AC ۱ M KOH and AC ۳ M KOH. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of AC type and content (۰-۶ phr) on the mechanical, physical, and biodegradation properties of PBS/NRC/AC composites. The results showed that AC contained ۷۳-۷۴ % carbon content. The AC ۳ M KOH exhibited a higher surface area. The mechanical properties of PBS/NRC/AC composites, including flexural strength, impact strength, tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and elongation at fracture, tended to decrease with increasing amounts of AC. However, adding AC ۳ M KOH had a more positive effect on these properties compared to AC ۱ M KOH. The crystalline structure of PBS was not affected, while the melt flow index (MFI) of the composite tended to decrease with the addition of AC. The composite with ۶ phr of AC ۳ M KOH showed ۲۲.۴% CO₂ absorption, ۳۵% degradation after ۶ months, and ۰.۸۴% water absorption, all of which were higher than those observed for ۶ phr of AC ۱ M KOH. The surface morphology of PBS/NRC/AC composites had a rough appearance, with rubber particles and AC dispersed within the PBS matrix. The surface roughness intensified with increasing AC content.

کلیدواژه ها:

Poly(butylene succinate) ، Natural rubber ، Coconut ، Activated carbon