Incorporation of Biochar to Improve Mechanical, Thermal and Electrical Properties of Polymer Composites

• Main Authors: Chinmoyee Das, Sandeep Tamrakar, Alper Kiziltas, Xinfeng Xie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-08-01
• Series: Polymers
• Subjects: biochar; carbonization; polymer composites; sustainability; composite properties
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/16/2663

The strive for utilization of green fillers in polymer composite has increased focus on application of natural biomass-based fillers. Biochar has garnered a lot of attention as a filler material and has the potential to replace conventionally used inorganic mineral fillers. Biochar is a carbon rich product obtained from thermochemical conversion of biomass in nitrogen environment. In this review, current studies dealing with incorporation of biochar in polymer matrices as a reinforcement and conductive filler were addressed. Each study mentioned here is nuanced, while addressing the same goal of utilization of biochar as a filler. In this review paper, an in-depth analysis of biochar and its structure is presented. The paper explored the various methods employed in fabrication of the biocomposites. A thorough review on the effect of addition of biochar on the overall composite properties showed immense promise in improving the overall composite properties. An analysis of the possible knowledge gaps was also done, and improvements were suggested. Through this study we tried to present the status of application of biochar as a filler material and its potential future applications.