Developing Flame-Retardant, Antistatic Biodegradable Films: A Collaboration Between Chiang Mai University and Sungkyunkwan University

Researchers from Chiang Mai University (Thailand) and Sungkyunkwan University (Republic of Korea) have developed a new biodegradable polymer composite designed to combine flame resistance, antistatic performance, and mechanical strength — three properties rarely achieved together in sustainable plastics.

The study, Flame Retardance and Antistatic Polybutylene Succinate/Polybutylene Adipate-Co-Terephthalate/Magnesium Composite, published in Polymers (2025, Vol.17, 1675), demonstrates how biodegradable materials can now meet industrial safety standards for electronic packaging, insulation films, and automotive components.

Enhancing PBS–PBAT Bioplastics for Safer Industrial Use

Biodegradable plastics such as PBS and PBAT offer a lower environmental impact but often fall short of industrial performance standards. They can burn easily, generate static electricity, or lack the strength needed for technical applications.

The research team aimed to create a bioplastic film with the durability and safety of conventional polymers, while remaining fully biodegradable. Their approach used two well-known biodegradable materials:

1. Polybutylene succinate (PBS) – a strong but brittle polymer derived from renewable sources
2. Polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT) – a flexible, ductile copolyester

Blending these materials offered the potential for balance — strength from PBS and flexibility from PBAT.

Improving Bioplastic Performance with Magnesium Oxide and Epoxy

To further improve the blend, the researchers added small amounts of epoxy resin to enhance compatibility between the two polymers, and magnesium oxide (MgO) as a flame-retardant additive and reaction catalyst.
This combination increased tensile strength, thermal stability, and resistance to water while maintaining biodegradability.

The resulting composite was processed into thin films using standard extrusion equipment, demonstrating industrial scalability.

Surface Treatment for Antistatic Properties

To prevent static build-up — essential for use in electronic packaging and insulation — the team tested two surface modification techniques:

1. Plasma sputtering, which uses a controlled plasma field to deposit a uniform layer of metal nanoparticles on the film.
2. Sparking, a simpler, lower-cost method that generates nano-metal coatings through repeated electrical discharge.

For the sparking experiments, titanium, copper, and aluminium wires (0.5 mm) supplied by Advent Research Materials (Oxford, UK) were used to generate the nano-metal coatings.

Results: Flame-Retardant and Antistatic Biodegradable Composite Film

Testing showed clear performance improvements across multiple areas:

• Mechanical strength: Adding epoxy increased tensile strength from 19 MPa to 25 MPa by improving bonding between PBS and PBAT.
• Flame retardancy: The composite containing 15 % MgO achieved a UL-94 V-1 rating, indicating that the film self-extinguishes after ignition.
• Thermal stability: The blended films resisted decomposition at higher temperatures, confirming improved heat resistance.
• Antistatic behaviour: Both surface treatments reduced surface charge, with plasma sputtering producing the lowest voltage readings thanks to its more uniform coating.

In practical terms, the researchers produced a strong, flexible, and fire-safe biodegradable film suitable for sensitive or safety-critical applications.

Industrial Potential and Environmental Impact

The results suggest a scalable path toward biodegradable alternatives to petroleum-based technical plastics used in electronics and transport.
By integrating metal oxides and precision surface treatments, the research demonstrates that sustainable materials can now meet demanding performance and safety standards — without compromising environmental responsibility.

About the Collaboration

This project was led by Assoc. Prof. Kittisak Jantanasakulwong and Prof. Pornchai Rachtanapun at Chiang Mai University, working with Prof. Jonghwan Suhr at Sungkyunkwan University.
It was supported by the Thailand Research Fund, the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (award number FA2386-22-1-4064).

Advent's Materials in Use

Advent supplied the titanium, copper, and aluminium wires used in the sparking process to produce nano-metal coatings.

These high-purity wires are part of Advent’s catalogue of research-grade metals and alloys, trusted by universities and research institutions for materials science, surface engineering, and nanotechnology development.

Reference

Rachtanapun, P.; Suhr, J.; Oh, E.; Thajai, N.; Kanthiya, T.; Kiattipornpithak, K.; Kaewapai, K.; Photphroet, S.; Worajittiphon, P.; Tanadchangsaeng, N.; et al. Flame Retardance and Antistatic Polybutylene Succinate/Polybutylene Adipate-Co-Terephthalate/Magnesium Composite. Polymers 2025, 17, 1675. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17121675