Microstructure, elastic, and inelastic properties of biomorphic carbons carbonized using a Fe-containing catalyst

Abstract

The microstructure and amplitude dependences of the Young’s modulus E and internal friction (logarithmic decrement δ), and microplastic properties of biocarbon matrices BE-C(Fe) obtained by beech tree carbonization at temperatures T_carb = 850–1600°C in the presence of an iron-containing catalyst are studied. By X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy, it is shown that the use of Fe-catalyst during carbonization with T_carb ≥ 1000°C leads to the appearance of a bulk graphite phase in the form of nanoscale bulk graphite inclusions in a quasi-amorphous matrix, whose volume fraction and size increase with T_carb. The correlation of the obtained dependences E(Т_carb) and δ(T_carb) with microstructure evolution with increasing Т_carb is revealed. It is found that E is mainly defined by a crystalline phase fraction in the amorphous matrix, i.e., a nanocrystalline phase at Т_carb < 1150°C and a bulk graphite phase at T_carb > 1300°C. Maximum values E = 10–12 GPa are achieved for samples with Т_carb ≈ 1150 and 1600°C. It is shown that the microplasticity manifest itself only in biocarbons with T_carb ≥ 1300°C (upon reaching a significant volume of the graphite phase); in this case, the conditional microyield stress decreases with increasing total volume of introduced mesoporosity (free surface area).