Evolved gas analysis and slow pyrolysis mechanism of bamboo by thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Slow pyrolysis of bamboo is an important conversion pathway to produce biofuels and chemicals such as biomass-derived fertilizer precursor (biochar). In this study, evolved gas analysis during pyrolysis of bamboo was conducted by a combination of TG, FTIR and GC-MS to establish a detailed pyrolysis mechanism of bamboo biomass. The main decomposition temperature zones were 300-400 degrees C and it reached the maximum mass loss intensity at 350 degrees C based on DTG curves. The main functional groups escaped from biomass during pyrolysis were -OH, -CH2, -CH3, C=O, C-O, and -COOH. The main compounds during pyrolysis of bamboo were acetic acid and 2-propenoic acid, ethenyl ester at 300 degrees C, 2-oxo-propanoic acid and l-hydroxy-2-propanone at 350 degrees C and acetic acid and acetic acid ethenyl ester at 400 degrees C. Evolved gas analysis indicated that components in bamboo occurred in different temperatures and pyrolysis mechanisms and resulted in distinguishing pyrolysis product emission characteristics.