Evaluating the graphitization potential for bio‐char derived from waste tire, poplar wood, and wheat straw through pyrolysis

Abstract Graphite, primarily composed of carbon, is a valuable industrial material renowned for its exceptional thermal conductivity, high melting point, and resistance to thermal shock and corrosion. It exists in two forms: natural graphite, a mineral, and synthetic graphite, produced from coal and oil. As the costs of these materials rise and their industrial uses expand, researchers are exploring sustainable ways to produce graphite. This study assessed the possibility of making graphite from poplar wood, waste tires, and wheat straw through pyrolysis at temperatures from 500 to 800°C. Results showed that higher temperatures resulted in lower bio‐char yields, with the best efficiency at 500°C due to increased bio‐char breakdown. Elemental analysis revealed that the carbon content increased while the levels of hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen decreased as the temperature rose. FT‐IR analysis detected both aromatic and aliphatic compounds, with a higher ratio of aromatics at higher temperatures, indicating dehydrogenation. The specific surface area of bio‐char samples was highest at increased pyrolysis temperatures and varied among the materials. XRD analysis confirmed that the crystalline structure of graphite improved with rising temperature, while SEM images showed better porosity and surface area. TGA analysis revealed that all samples experienced less weight loss and greater thermal stability at higher temperatures.