Hyperspectral Imaging to Determine the Properties and Homogeneity of Renewable Carbon Materials

Hyperspectral imaging within the near infrared (NIR) region offers a fast and reliable way for determining the properties of renewable carbon materials. The chemical information provided by a spectrum combined with the spatial information of an image allows mathematical operations that can be performed in both the spectral and spatial domains. Here, we show that hyperspectral NIR imaging can be successfully used to determine the properties of hydrothermally prepared carbon on the material and pixel levels. Materials produced from different feedstocks or prepared under different temperatures can also be distinguished, and their homogeneity can be evaluated. As hyperspectral imaging within the NIR region is non-destructive and requires very little sample preparation, it can be used for controlling the quality of renewable carbon materials destined for a wide range of different applications.