Wood-Derived Graphite: A Sustainable and Cost-Effective Material for the Wide Range of Industrial Applications

• Published in: Crystals (Basel) Vol. 14; no. 4; p. 309
• Main Authors: Kim, Young Soon, Hanif, Md. Abu, Song, Hyeonjin, Kim, Sungeun, Cho, Yonu, Ryu, Seung-Kon, Kim, Hong Gun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.04.2024
• Subjects: Alternative energy; Biomass; Carbon dioxide; catalyst; Catalysts; Charcoal; Coal; Emission standards; Emissions; Fossil fuels; Fourier transforms; Graphene; Graphite; Graphitization; Green technology; High resolution electron microscopy; High temperature; Industrial applications; Infrared analysis; Infrared spectroscopy; interlayer space; Lattice parameters; Lattices; Low temperature; Methods; microstructure; Natural resources; Nitrates; Raman spectroscopy; Raw materials; Renewable resources; Scanning electron microscopy; South Korea; Spectrum analysis; Temperature; Temperature dependence; well-ordered graphite; wood; X-ray diffraction; South Korea; Japan
• ISSN: 2073-4352; 2073-4352
• DOI: 10.3390/cryst14040309

The study explored the graphitization of wood through two distinct methods: a high-temperature approach at 2400 °C and a low-temperature technique at 1400 °C using a catalyst. The graphitization properties were assessed by conducting thermal experiments at various temperatures (1100 °C, 1400 °C, 1800 °C, 2000 °C, and 2400 °C), both with and without a catalyst. The development of graphite lattices was quantitatively analyzed using an array of techniques: X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The XRD analysis highlighted temperature-dependent changes in lattice parameters (d002, La, and Lc), while Raman spectroscopy tracked alterations in the D to G peak ratio (D/G) with temperature. An increase in temperature is correlated with a rise in the number of graphene layers and the degree of graphitization. Notably, the process of graphite lattice formation varied across the experimental temperature spectrum. The use of a catalyst resulted in a reduced d002 spacing, signifying an enhanced degree of graphitization. Moreover, the catalyst promoted a consistent and smooth graphitization process throughout the heating stages. In contrast, graphitization without a catalyst occurred at higher temperatures, specifically between 1800 °C and 2000 °C, with the d002 value stabilizing around 0.338 nm. The catalyst proved instrumental in transforming the initial structure into well-ordered graphite at lower temperatures. This investigation underscores the potential and benefits of employing a catalyst to generate high-quality graphite from wood at reduced temperatures, paving the way for sustainable and economically viable applications of this material.