Production of renewable phenols from corn cob using catalytic pyrolysis over self-derived activated carbons prepared with torrefaction pretreatment and chemical activation

The present work unveiled that the combination of chemical activation and torrefaction pretreatment was a promising approach for improving catalytic performance of activated carbon (AC) during conversion of corn cob into phenols. The characterization results demonstrated that P-containing functional groups (bands between 1000 and 1200 cm- 1) were imbedded into AC samples successfully. The increase in acid concentration and carbonization temperature could improve the porosity of as-prepared ACs. GC/MS results revealed that the selectivity of phenols was boosted (from 19.0% to 79.3%) during pyrolysis of corn cob over torrefaction pretreated AC catalyst. The high carbonization temperature (from 369 degrees C to 581 degrees C) and H3PO4 concentration (from 26.7% to 83.3%) favored the selectivity of phenols attained. The optimal condition for phenols selectivity (79.3%) was achieved at a carbonization temperature of 550 degrees C with H3PO4 concentration of 75%. The current study may provide an efficient pathway of converting agriculture waste corn cob into AC catalyst and phenolsenriched bio-oil, simultaneously, which will advance the utilization of renewable agriculture biomass.

Automated summary

The combination of chemical activation and torrefaction pretreatment improves the catalytic performance of activated carbon during the conversion of corn cob into phenols. Optimal conditions for phenols selectivity were achieved at a carbonization temperature of 550 degrees C with H3PO4 concentration of 75%.