Preparation and Electrochemical Behavior of Carbonaceous Fiber Sheets Derived from Bamboo

Phyllostachys, which is popularly called as "bamboo", is one of the sustainable natural resources with high CO2 immobilization capacity and should be employed based on its feature. In the present study, the carbonaceous sheets are prepared from phyllostachys through physical, chemical and heat treatments. The average diameter of bamboo monofilament (single fiber) is ca. 12.5 mu m and is reduced by the carbonization; on the other hand, the microscopic morphology is "fibrous". The electric conductivity measured by four-probe method reaches at ca. 35 S cm(-1) after heat treatment at 2000 degrees C. In the cyclic voltammogram obtained in 0.1 mol dm(-3) of perchloric acid aqueous solution under N-2 atmosphere, significantly current flow due to an electrochemical reaction is not recognized and only electrochemical double layer capacity can be observed. The results of this study suggest that phyllostachys could be employed to for the material of the electrochemical devices.