New material strengthens plastic

A plastic reinforced with carbonized bamboo powder has shown a significant increase in strength and toughness, according to a report from Science et vie. The material gains 81% in strength and 173% in toughness compared to the original plastic mixture. It also absorbs electromagnetic waves from electronic devices, offering an alternative to traditional conductive shields that reflect waves and cause secondary interference.

Researchers describe the development

Engineers from Anhui Agricultural University in Hefei described the development in the journal Sustainable Carbon Materials in late August 2026. The plastic is a biodegradable composite made from polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), a flexible polyester.

Bamboo powder is processed into biochar

The researchers processed bamboo powder collected from Anhui province by drying it and heating it to 1,000 degrees Celsius under nitrogen, transforming it into biochar, a carbon-rich material. This biochar was then placed in a quartz tube between two electrodes under 160 volts for three-tenths of a second.

Carbon is treated for better adhesion

To improve adhesion with the polymers, the carbon was treated with APTES, a silane molecule. The resulting composite achieved a tensile strength of 25.5 megapascals, compared to 14.1 megapascals for the original mixture. Its toughness increased from 0.98 to 2.68 megajoules per cubic meter.

Material structure enhances properties

The researchers explained that the five layers of PLA and PBAT, combined with the biochar at the interfaces, contributed to the enhanced properties. This layered design helps distribute stress more evenly and improves the material's ability to absorb energy without breaking.