Synthesis and surface characterisation of bamboo charcoal carbon using low temperature plasma treatment

Abstract

Bamboo charcoal carbon (BCC) was synthesised and activated by pyrolysis process. The synthesised BCC was surface modified by air and oxygen plasma treatment. In this paper, the interaction of a BCC with plasma treatment has been studied. N2 adsorption at 77 K, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to characterise the surface area, surface morphology and crystalline properties of unmodified and plasma modified BCC. Functional group changes and adsorption property of BCC have been investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV–Vis spectroscopy. FTIR indicates the presence of new functional groups such as C–H and O–H after plasma treatment. Scanning electron microscopy shows the morphology of the carbon and a small amount of surface roughening due to plasma treatment.