Microscopic, structural, and electrical characterization of the carbonaceous materials synthesized from various lignin feedstocks

ABSTRACT Microscopic, structural and electrical characterization of the carbonaceous materials synthesized from different types of lignin precursors are investigated employing scanning electron microcopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and AC conductivity techniques. Lignin precursors from various resources carbonized at 900°C for 6 h under nitrogen atmosphere are used for this study. SEM analysis indicates formation of various microstructures, which are highly influenced by the carbonization behavior of lignin feedstocks that varies with chemical composition as well as purity. Raman spectroscopy of the carbon materials shows significant variations of its features, which represents their unique carbonization behaviors and graphitization events. Clear understanding of peak intensity, shape, and area gave very different structural features influenced by their chemical environment of the chosen precursor lignins. Phase purity and the graphitization degree are investigated through their X‐ray diffraction patterns. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132 , 41786.