Modified Ground Tire Rubber as a Filler to Develop Low <scp>PBAT</scp> /Starch Composites: Processing Interaction and Physicochemical Performance

ABSTRACT Exploring alternative ways to modify ground tire rubber (GTR) by‐product to serve as a reinforcement filler in polymer‐based materials could be a new approach for the circular economy model. Thus, the effect of acetone‐modified ground tire (GTR) on the processing, structural, and functional features of polybutylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate (PBAT)/starch composites was investigated. TGA, FTIR, and wettability analysis confirmed the partial removal of additives (plasticizer, oils) and the alteration of elastomers (natural rubber and styrene‐butadiene rubber) from GTR. During the melt mixing process, modified GTR interacted more strongly with the hydroxyl and carbonyl groups of PBAT and starch, thereby reducing GTR‐GTR interactions and improving the tensile strength and % elongation (from 17.41 to 34.82). The results showed that treatments are one way to add value to tire residues and convert them into compatible raw materials with PBAT/starch composites, thereby reducing the cost of expensive degradable materials for the mobility and packaging industries.