BIODEGRADABLE POLYMER-BASED COMPOSITES FILLED WITH BIOCHAR FOR TUNABLE RELEASE OF CARVACROL

Bio-composites are commonly obtained by combining biodegradable polymers with fillers collected from natural resources. In this context, biochar (BC) is attracting high interest as filler for polymer-based composites due to its challenging properties, including ecosustainability. This study aimed to prepare and characterize bio-composites with antimicrobial properties evaluating the role of the filler in the release kinetics. In particular, BC as filler and carvacrol (CRV) as antimicrobial agent, were incorporated via melt-compounding in poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) samples. The rheological, tensile, and antimicrobial properties of the obtained bio-composites were evaluate…