Impact of seaweeds on tensile, thermal and viscoelasticity behavior of polybutylene adipate terephthalate-based composites

In the current study, a composite was produced using Kappaphycus alvarezii (K.Alvarezii) as filler with poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). The varying concentrations of K.Alvarezii (10 wt%, 20 wt%, 30 wt%, and 40wt%) were used to determine their impact on the mechanical, thermal, morphological, and viscoelastic properties of the produced composites. Addition of K. Alvarezii particles to PBAT resulted in an improvement in the tensile modulus and decrease in the damping factor (Tan delta). An observed inverse correlation between the storage and loss modulus was analyzed. The thermogravimetric investigation demonstrated the degradation temperature of composites falls within the range of temperatures exhibited by their pristine components, i.e., K. Alvarezii and PBAT. As the amount of K. Alvarezii particles increased, improved melting (T_m) was observed. Indeed, K. Alvarezii serve as a filler to produce polymer composites which are environmentally friendly and possess enhanced capabilities. These biobased composites could be used in eco-friendly food packaging, pharmaceutical appliances, and several new green chemical applications.