A small angle X-ray scattering and electrochemical study of the decomposition of wood during pyrolysis

The pyrolysis of nine wood samples (Basswood, Cherry, Pine, Walnut, Maple, Hickory, Paduak, Tigerwood and Ipe) between 30 and 1200 °C was investigated. Using Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), the thermal degradation of the cellular structure of wood followed by the onset and growth of graphene sheets and associated nanoporosity between the sheets, was observed as temperature increased. SAXS, wide angle X-ray scattering and electrochemical studies of Na insertion using Na batteries were used to study the wood samples pyrolyzed to 1100 °C. Regardless of the original wood precursor used during pyrolysis, the nanostructure and resulting electrochemical behaviour of all the wood samples were similar after heating to 1100 °C.