Impact of attapulgite clay on the phases and structures of novel woodceramics

In this work, new woodceramics were prepared by compositing, pressing and sintering processes using wheat straw residue and attapulgite as the raw materials and phenolic resin as an adhesive. The effects of the raw material ratios and sintering temperatures on the phases and microstructures of the woodceramics were analyzed by XRD and SEM. The results showed that the obtained woodceramics were mainly composed of amorphous porous carbon. The ratio of the raw materials had no influence on the phases of the woodceramics but did impact their microstructures. With increased sintering temperatures, attapulgite crystallites disappeared gradually while graphite crystallites grew slowly, accompanied by improved structural order.