Development of Membranes Composed of Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) and Activated Charcoal for Use in a Controlled Release System of Pheromone

Membranes composed of poly (butylene adipate co-terephthalate), PBAT, and activated Charcoal (80:20%) were produced with a double screw extruder and their thermal, morphological, mechanical and structural properties were evaluated. The thermogravimetric analyzes of the membranes showed that there was no change in the decomposition temperatures of the polymer added with charcoal, with the first occurrence between 340–400 °C related to PBAT and the second between 465 and 612 °C related to charcoal. The micrographs of the PBAT membrane presented compact matrix without appreciable defects. For the sample of PBAT:Charcoal it was observed that the charcoal was dispersed in the matrix of the polymer, with some agglomerates and presence of cavities. It was also observed an increase of 120.24% in the barrier property evidenced by the water vapor permeability (PVA) test in relation to the PBAT membrane. This increase may be due to the presence of the wells and clusters observed in the microscopies. The PBAT:Charcoal membrane, despite having presented alteration in the mechanical properties due to the addition of the charcoal, demonstrated good properties, making the process possible. The PBAT:Charcoal membranes presented promising results indicating that these matrices can be used as packaging materials in the industry for improving safety and prolonging the shelf life of the packaged product. The application of pheromones for pest management requires a constant releaser of the active during the capture period of the insect. In addition, for efficient use, the pheromone must be protected from climatic factors. The permeation studies of rhynchophorol through the membranes presented releaser rates similar to the systems found in the literature, with an increase in the life of the pheromone, possibly generating a lower cost of baits for the farmer.