Production and characterization of biomass based carbon foam

In this study, biomass based production of carbon foam which has an important place among advanced carbon materials and is usually derived from fossil pitch was investigated. For this purpose, bio-pitch obtained from biomass tar, was used as a new carbon source for producing carbon foam. In the first part of the study, consisting from three parts, tar production from seven different biomass (pine, oak, hazelnut shell, almond shell, pine cone, saw dust, and Euphorbia rigida) by pyrolysis, in the second part bio-pitch production from tar by vacuum distillation, and in the third part production of carbon foam from the obtained bio-pitch was carried out. Usage of produced carbon foams as heat insulation material and in gas storage applications (CO2) were investigated. Carbon foam having micro and meso pore distribution and surface area higher than fossil pitch derived carbon foams were produced with the use of bio-pitch. Considering the economical, technological, and ecological balance of pitch based produced materials, it can be concluded that, bio-pitch obtained from biomass tar could be used as effective, low-cost, environmentally friendly, and alternative starting material in producing advanced carbon materials instead of fossil pitches.