[Study on Biochar Properties Analysis with Scanning Electron Microscope-EnergyDispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX)]

Guang Pu Xue Yu Guang Pu Fen Xi. 2016 Jun;36(6):1670-3.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) was applied to analyze the chemical and structural properties of biochars produced under different temperatures. Results showed that average carbon content (SEM C aver.) and maximum carbon content (SEM C max.) of miscanthus (MS) biochar increased as temperature increasing. There were significant and positive relationships between SEM C max., SEM C aver. and highest treatment temperature (HTT) (r were 0.76 and 0.86). SEM C max., SEM C aver. and dry combustion total carbon content had significant and positive relationships (r were 0.83 and 0.91), SEM C max. which was better than SEM C aver. So the carbon content of MS biochar which had good correlationship with temperature analyzed by SEM-EDX, SEM C max. could be used for composition analysis of biochar, scanning results could analyze structural properties of biochar effectively. This method is rapid, simple and stable. It also could analyze structure and composition of biochar simultaneously. It is a promising method that would be useful to study the structure and composition of biochar and other materials.