Morphological and Thermal Properties of Polystyrene Composite Reinforced with Biochar from Plantain Stalk Fibre

Abstract

The advantages of natural fibres of synthetic fibres in the reinforcement of plastic composites have increased its use in diverse applications such as in the use of plant biochar in composite reinforcement. This research developed polystyrene composite development using biochar from plantain stalk fibre as filler. The composites obtained were analysed for their thermal and functional properties using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR) respectively. The composite with 30% filler was seen to have optimum thermal stability. The eco-friendliness of the composite gives a better solution to agro-waste disposal rather than burning.