Organic-inorganic hybrid filler for improved thermal conductivity and anti-dripping performance of polybutylene succinate composite

Abstract

While polybutylene succinate (PBS) has gained increasing interest following the recent shift from conventional polymers to biobased and biodegradable polymers, its high cost, high flammability, and low thermal conductivity have limited its practical applications. In this study, PBS hybrid composites with improved heat dissipation capability and anti-dripping performance were fabricated by incorporating a novel organic-inorganic hybrid filler. The hybrid filler was fabricated by attaching silicon carbide particles to the surface of coffee husks treated with a flame retardant agent. Spectroscopic and morphological analyses confirmed that the hybrid filler was successfully fabricated. PBS composites filled with the hybrid filler exhibited better filler/matrix interfacial interaction, which resulted in a 250% enhancement on the thermal conductivity of the hybrid composite with the incorporation of small vol% of conductive SiC. They also showed superior mechanical properties: the tensile strength and Young's modulus were enhanced by 40% and 70%. During a burning test, the composite attained the UL-94 V-0 rating without any dripping and with surface char formation. Overall, the PBS hybrid composite showed promising properties that could potentially broaden the applications of PBS-based materials.