The objective of this research is to develop a completely biodegradable
hybrid bio-composite consisting of talc and wood fibers
loaded in PHBV. Talc and PHBV have similar water contact angles,
thus both have similar hydrophobic surface nature. High surface
energy of the talc surface allows the wettability of PHBV, and its
miscibility in PHBV matrix leading to subsequent reinforcement
of talc platelets. The talc reinforcement provides an additional cost
benefit; the less expensive talc replaces the more expensive PHBV
matrix in the system. The increased density of the talc and PHBV
system can be counter balanced by replacing the certain proportion
of talc with wood fiber, there by leveling the density of the
composite to certain extent. This hybrid system of mineral and
wood fiber reinforced in a bioplastic PHBV is expected to be completely
biodegradable as all the three components of the composite
system are sourced naturally, or are biodegradable.