Preparation and hierarchical porous structure of biomorphic woodceramics from sugarcane bagasse

Biomorphic woodceramics with controllable pore structure were prepared from sugarcane bagasse impregnated with epoxy resin followed by sintering at different temperatures. The phase composition, chemical composition, morphology and pore texture of the products were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, mercury porosimetry and N-2 adsorption. The biomorphic woodceramics are typical non-graphitizable carbon and display a hierarchical porous structure from micrometer (0.6-21 mu m) to nanometer scale (3.1-9.3 nm). The woodceramics retain the tubular structures of sugarcane bagasse before calcination at 1100 degrees C. Furthermore, an increase in the sintering temperature results in the decrease of BET surface area, average pore diameter and pore volume in the mesopore scale. This work provides a simple, economical, and environmentally friendly method for the production of hierarchical porous woodceramics. The final products have their potential applications as adsorbents, catalyst supports and filters. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.