A biomorphic porous carbon (BPC) was prepared by carbonized native bamboo under an Ar atmosphere through a controlled heating process. Microstructural properties of BPC were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The pyrolytic behavior of bamboo and non-isothermal oxidation properties of BPC were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Experimental results show that BPC has a porous interconnected honeycomb microstructure, with a multi-peak pore size distribution, and is a typical non-graphitizable carbon. With an increasing carbonization temperature, the (002) peak of the XRD spectrum becomes stronger, the interplanar spacing decreases, the structure of BPC slowly evolved towards that of ideal graphite, and also the density increases, and bulk porosity decreases. The non-isothermal oxidation properties of BPC exhibit a self-catalytic characteristic, which is discussed through a schematic model.

Keywords: Biomorphic porous carbon, Structure properties, Self-catalytic.