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The use of mixed-matrix materials (MMM) has become a major topic of research in recent years, due to unique properties achieved in these composites. In this work, biochar from sunflower seed hull pyrolysis and biochar/polysulfone (PSF) MMMs were produced and characterized. The optimal pyrolysis temperature for biochar production was determined to be 500 C. The resulting biochar properties were an iodine number of 203 mg/g and a pore volume of 0.595 mL/g. In MMM fabrication, the use 4% ethanol as nonsolvent in the wet phase inversion process increased the glass transition temperature by 8 C, indicating improved biochar/PSF interaction. The presence of biochar was shown to create pores in otherwise dense surfaces. The critical surface energy was also increased by the addition of biochar from 28.6 mN/m in pristine PSF to 35.7 mN/m in biochar/PSF MMMs. We identified and discussed several potential applications based on the determined properties.

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