Structural analysis of mycelium composite for the production of wood-based carbon materials

Mycelium composite has attracted significant attention in the last two decades for its functionality and sustainability. While the mycelium formation is essential to the production of the composites, the fungal growth results in the decay of the cell wall structure, which is thought to be detrimental to the composite properties. Here, we utilize the wood decay to activate the biomass as a starting material for wood-based carbon materials. We expect that the wood decay will result in more porous cell wall structures, while the mycelium growth will contribute to the increase of nitrogen in the biomass due to the deposition of chitin as the main component of fungal cell walls. To examine the effects of fungal effects on the ultrastructure of wood, we will conduct a simultaneous S/WAXS experiment of mycelium composite. The results will provide insight into the structural changes and will contribute to designing of activation process of wood by fungal growth