Structure of Cellulosic Fiber-Derived Carbon Catalyzed by Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Catalytic graphitization of iron oxide-nanoparticle-coated cellulosic fibers from wood is presented in this study. Bleached cellulosic fibers coated with iron oxide nanoparticles and the control samples were pyrolyzed at five elevated temperatures: 800, 1000, 1200, 1400, and 1600°C. The structure changes of the fibers were examined by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy. The results showed that the graphitization of cellulosic fibers was accelerated during the pyrolysis process by the introduction of iron oxide nanoparticles. The results from XRD and Raman spectroscopy confirmed that at a temperature of greater than 800°C, a cellulosic fiber graphitic structure started to change on the iron oxide-nanoparticle-coated cellulosic fiber samples. A significant increase in the graphitic structure was shown at 1200°C