Effect of pyrolyzation temperature on wood-derived carbon and silicon carbide

The structure of carbon and silicon carbide produced through the pyrolyzation of wood and the subsequent melt-infiltration with silicon was studied as a function of initial carbon pyrolyzation temperature. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, mercury intrusion porosimetry, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize material derived from initial carbon pyrolyzation temperatures in the range of 300-2400 degrees C. It was determined that, although structural differences abound in carbon pyrolyzed at different temperatures, the resulting silicon carbide is independent of the initial temperature of carbon pyrolyzation. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.