Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/Graphene Oxide/Carbon Black Nanocomposite Films for Agricultural Applications: From Mechanical Performance to Ecotoxicological Effects

Abstract

Poly-(butylene adipate-<i>co</i>-terephthalate) (PBAT) nanocomposite films containing graphene oxide (GO) and carbon black (CB) were prepared through plane extrusion to assess their potential for agricultural applications. The films with 0.25% and 0.50% w/w of GO content and 1.5% w/w of CB and combinations of both fillers at the specified concentrations were characterized. CB effectively blocked UV/vis transmittance, and its combination with GO at a lower concentration resulted in satisfactory mechanical properties for mulch film applications. The formulation containing only GO (0.25%) yielded favorable results in elongation and tenacity for mulch film applications, along with effective UV/vis transmittance blocking, although not sufficient to prevent weed growth, making this film more suitable for greenhouse applications than for mulch films. In both scenarios, the presence of the fillers did not affect the biodegradation behavior of PBAT in soil, and none of the tested films exhibited any ecotoxicological effects on <i>Allium cepa</i>, highlighting the potential of the studied formulations as biodegradable and environmentally friendly agricultural films, thus encouraging further exploration in this area.