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Rochester Institute of Technology

Theses/Dissertations

2023

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Effects Of Biochar Content And Particle Size On Mechanical Properties Of Biochar-Plastic Composites, Anne Marie Mozrall May 2023

Effects Of Biochar Content And Particle Size On Mechanical Properties Of Biochar-Plastic Composites, Anne Marie Mozrall

Theses

The recent increases in plastic pollution and consumption have put bioplastics in a strong position to expand. However, better understanding is needed for bio-fillers and their effect on popular bioplastics, such as poly (lactic acid) (PLA), in order for this to occur. Biochar (BC), a stable form of carbon derived from high temperature conversion of organic material, has potential application as a plastic filler. Although biochar’s effect on petroleum-based plastics has been widely studied, there are still major gaps in the literature surrounding biochar use as a filler in PLA/starch composites. Biochar particle size and loading are two factors that …