Synthesis of composites and study of the thermal behavior of sugarcane bagasse/iron nitrate mixtures in different proportions

This study aims to assess the thermal properties of mixtures of sugarcane bagasse and iron(III) nitrate in the following proportions (mass/mass): 1/2, 1/1, and 2/1, using thermogravimetry/differential thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis. These thermoanalytic techniques were performed to assess the best temperatures for the heat treatment of the mixtures for the subsequent production of the carbonaceous material/iron oxide composites and their behavior at different temperatures. According to thermal analysis, the decomposition profile of the mixture depends on the ratio of sugarcane bagasse to iron nitrate (BC/NF). The synthesized composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, proving the formation of phases established from thermal analyses performed at 400, 500, and 600 °C. It was concluded that composites of the precursor mixtures may be produced to have different and interesting properties according to their application in sewage treatment processes such as adsorption.