Pyrolysis and characterization of poplar mixed nanometal oxide catalysts

Poplar is an important wood bioresource and is one of the most dominant plantations in the world with high content of cellulose (52.99%). However, the pyrolytic products produced from poplar pyrolysis are not well studied and applied. In this study, pyrolysis of poplar mixed with different types and the ratio of nanometal oxide catalyst (NiO: 0.50 g, NiO-Ag: 0.25 + 0.25 g, Ag: 0.50 g, Fe2O3: 0.50 g, and Fe2O3-Ag: 0.25 + 0.25 g) were performed to identify the catalyst showing desirable performance in poplar pyrolysis. The thermogravimetry (TG) analysis revealed that adding Fe2O3 in pyrolysis has enhanced the decomposition of poplar where most of the weight loss (71.61 wt%) was in the temperature range of 25-780 degrees C. The results of the gas chro-matography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis showed that the primary components of the produced bio-oil are acetaldehyde, methyl glyoxal, furfural, d-allose, and acetic acid, which can be used as raw materials in pharmaceuticals, industrial processes, and agricultural endeavours.

Automated summary

This study investigated the pyrolysis of poplar mixed with different types and ratios of nanometal oxide catalyst. The results showed that Fe2O3 exhibited desirable performance in enhancing the decomposition of poplar. The analysis also revealed that the produced bio-oil contained acetaldehyde, methyl glyoxal, furfural, d-allose, and acetic acid, which have potential applications in pharmaceuticals, industrial processes, and agricultural endeavours.