Development of graphitic and non-graphitic carbons using different grade biopitch sources

Authors: ANTIL, BINDU - Pennsylvania State University; Elkasabi, Yaseen; VANDER WAL, RANDY - Pennsylvania State University

Submitted to: Carbon
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/27/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Graphite is a material made of carbon that is used in many applications, like batteries and metals production. More demand for these applications is increasing demand for graphite; renewable sources of graphite are needed for both economic and environmental reasons. This work investigated the production of carbon solids from certain grasses and woods. We use pyrolysis, which is a high-temperature process for making a crude oil, and these oils can be further heated into carbon solids. Under certain conditions, we found that, if oils can be made with a low amount of oxygen, that will improve the quality of carbon to where it has the same properties as graphite. These results have the potential to provide biorefineries and farmers with an added value and revenue income stream.

Technical Abstract: The growing demand for bio-renewable alternatives to fossil fuels in the production of sustainable carbon materials, driven by the aim of reducing environmental impact, is vital for advancing efforts to promote a greener future. Therefore, this study explores the development of novel graphitic carbons (GC) and non-graphitic carbons (NGC) derived from biomass-based biopitches through various processes, including catalytic fast pyrolysis, carbonization, and graphitization. This research underscores the importance of oxygen and aromatic content in the production of GC and NGC, and examines their structural parameters at different heating temperatures through characterization techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and Raman spectroscopy. XRD analysis revealed that the GC sample exhibits a lower interplanar spacing (d002) value and significantly larger crystallite diameter (La) and stacking height (Lc) compared to the NGC sample. These findings were corroborated by HRTEM images, which demonstrated morphological differences and confirmed the presence of well-defined, long-continuous graphitic lamellae in GCs, in contrast to the extensive intertwined ribbons and curved lamellae structures found in NGCs, even after heating to 2500°C. Furthermore, Raman spectra indicated that the GCs possess a crystalline structure with long-range order, whereas the NGC samples lack such order.