Analysis and characterization of microstructures of a TiO₂/bamboo charcoal composite and modified poplar veneer

A type of TiO₂/bamboo charcoal composite made by a dip-dry method was loaded onto wood veneer with a vacuumpressure method in order to prepare modified poplar veneer. The pore structure parameters and surface morphology of the TiO₂/bamboo charcoal composite were determined and analyzed by means of a porosimetry analyzer and SEM. The results show that the surface morphology of the composite does not change after being loaded with nano TiO₂. However, its specific surface area (359.814 m²·g^-1), pore volume (0.317 cm³·g^-1) and average pore diameter (3.526 nm) increased; particularly the cumulative volume of pores was increased by 65.83%. In addition, the distribution range of the pores was wider than that of the bamboo charcoal. Combining the SEM of unmodified and modified poplar veneer, the results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that actually some TiO₂ compounds, i.e., 4.08%, are imbedded in the modified poplar veneer.