Characterization of Carbonized Wood for Higher Value-Added Utilization of Wildfire-Damaged Wood

초록

As climate change intensifies, the frequency and scale of wildfires have increased, generating substantial amounts of wildfire-damaged wood. This study aims to support the high-value-added utilization of wildfire-damaged wood by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the physicochemical properties of its carbonized portion. Wood samples were carbonized at 1,000°C under conditions simulating actual wildfire temperatures, and the physicochemical changes associated with varying degrees of carbonization were analyzed. As the degree of carbonization increased, the wood samples developed a more porous structure, resulting in a higher specific surface area. In parallel, chemical analysis revealed a progressive increase in carbon content, reaching up to 84%. Fourier transform-infrared spectrometer and X-ray diffraction analyses confirmed the thermal degradation of organic compounds and the breakdown of crystalline structures during the carbonization process. These findings indicate that the carbonized portion of wildfire-damaged wood possesses physicochemical properties similar to those of activated carbon, suggesting its potential for advanced applications such as pollutant adsorption in environmental remediation, energy storage materials for supercapacitors, and electromagnetic interference shielding materials.

키워드