Carbon derived from biomass: a precursor-based approach towards enhanced carbon surface chemistry

Abstract

The present thesis describes a systematic effort to synthesize, through pyrolysis, carbonaceous materials derived from readily available biomass, specifically, lyophilized fruit, dog hair and porcine blood. The characterization procedures and the search for suitable engineering applications, from separation to electrochemical sensing and energy storage are also discussed in this text. All samples with the exception of the canine hair were analyzed through scanning electron microscopy. Blood samples underwent elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and powder x-ray diffractography and the dog hair samples underwent preparation as electrodes and evaluation through cyclic voltammetry and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. While the circumstances of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic limit the scope of the results, preliminary work points towards two major insights. First, the applicability of the biomass derived carbon towards filtration systems due to its richness of oxygen groups. Second, the necessity of a secondary activation or annealing process for their potential energy related applications.