Preparation and characterization of pyrolytic chars from different biomass samples

In the present work four different biomass samples (pine cone, soybean cake, corn stalk and peanut shell) were pyrolyzed to 550 degrees C in an inert gas atmosphere and a comparison between the properties of chars produced has been performed. Characterization of biomass samples was carried out with FT-IR, C-13 NMR, SEM and EDX. The influence of the parent material on char quality was investigated. The chars were characterized by their proximate and ultimate analysis and surface areas by N-2 adsorption at 77K using BET equation. The morphological changes in carbonaceous solids were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and FT-IR spectra were obtained to evaluate the functional groups. The results obtained from the different techniques were combined to give an overview of the chemical and physical properties of the biomass char samples. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.