Characterization, morphology, and biodegradation of bioplastic fertilizer (BpF) composites made of poly(Butylene succinate) blended with oil palm biomass and fertilizer

Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) is a versatile biodegradable polymer that can be processed into slow‐release bioplastic fertilizer (BpF) composites using twin screw extruder extrusion method, with controlled formulation and temperature. In this study, slow‐release BpF composites were created by blending NPK fertilizer with biodegradable plastic composites and oil palm biomass. Temperature processing was done at 125°C–145°C for 3–5 min using twin screw extruder. Its thermal degradation occurred initially at 263.44°C and reached maximum at 300.73°C. In biodegradation test, the weight losses of PBS/NPKC1 and PBS/NPKC2 were about 60% while the weight losses of PBS/EFB/NPKC1 and PBS/EFB/NPKC2 were 72.68% and 73.09%, respectively. It was observed under scanning electron microscope that PB1 and PB2 showed more homogeneous adhesion and better wetting of PBS. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2577–2583, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers