Physicochemical properties evolution of chars from palm kernel shell pyrolysis

To clarify the effect of the pyrolysis operating conditions of the biomass on the physicochemical properties of the char and its combustion reactivity, palm kernel shell was pyrolyzed at different temperatures (400–700 °C). Analyses such as proximate and ultimate analysis, XRD, FTIR, N₂ adsorption, and SEM were used to investigate the physicochemical properties of biochar samples. The results show that an increase in pyrolysis temperature led to a development of pore structure and specific surface area of the produced biochar, which was beneficial for improving the biochar combustion reactivity. Besides, with increase in pyrolysis temperature, the carbon content exhibits a raise trend, but the oxygen and hydrogen contents exhibit the opposite behavior, and the aromaticity and graphitization degree of biochar produced at high temperature also increase. The combustion reactivity of biochar was found to be highly dependent on the pyrolysis temperature, and the aromatic structure and graphitization degree have greater effects on biochar combustion reactivity than those of the specific surface area and pore structure.     

Evaluation of the porous structure development of chars from pyrolysis of rice straw: Effects of pyrolysis temperature and heating rate

The effects of pyrolysis temperature and heating rate on the porous structure characteristics of rice straw chars were investigated. The pyrolysis was done at atmospheric pressure and at temperatures ranging from 600 to 1000 °C under low heating rate (LHR) and high heating rates (HHR) conditions. The chars were characterized by ultimate analysis, field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), helium density measurement and N₂ physisorption method. The results showed that temperature had obvious influence on the char porous characteristics. The char yield decreased by approximately 16% with increasing temperature from 600 to 1000 °C. The carbon structure shrinkage and pore narrowing occurred above 600 °C. The shrinkage of carbon skeleton increased by more than 22% with temperatures rising from 600 to 1000 °C. At HHR condition, progressive increases in porosity development with increasing pyrolysis temperature occurred, whereas a maximum porosity development appeared at 900 °C. The total surface area (S_total) and micropore surface area (S_micro) reached maximum values of 30.94 and 21.81 m²/g at 900 °C and decreased slightly at higher temperatures. The influence of heating rate on S_total and S_micro was less significant than that of pyrolysis temperature. The pore surface fractal dimension and average pore diameter showed a good linear relationship.     

TG–DSC analysis of pyrolysis process of two Chinese oil shales

According to the recommendations developed by the Kinetics Committee of the International Confederation for Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry (ICTAC), non-isothermal pyrolysis experiments were carried out to analyze and compare two types of oil shale from the northeast of China using simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis at temperatures ranging from 40 to 850 °C. The pyrolysis process of oil shale begins with the evaporation of small molecular substances, then continues by the pyrolysis of kerogen, and finally ends mainly with the complete decomposition of carbonates. In this whole process, almost 36 % of overall pyrolytic heat was used for the pyrolysis of kerogen. When retorting air-dried basis oil shale below 520 °C, a considerable proportion of the heat required will have to be used mainly for the evaporation of small molecular substances below 185 °C. Specific heat capacities of two oil shale semicokes were measured below 500 °C by DSC method, showing that specific heat capacity of semicoke will increase with the increase of the temperature, and carbonization of kerogen can bring about a further positive effect on it. Coats–Redfern method was used to calculate kinetic parameters in three pyrolysis stages.     

高温下热解温度对煤焦孔隙结构的影响

利用高温沉降炉在1500K～1800K制备京西无烟煤煤焦,使用化学吸附法测定不同热解温度下煤焦比表面积及孔容积与孔径的分布特征,并采用SEM观察煤焦颗粒表面的形态,分析了高温下热解温度对煤焦孔隙结构的影响规律。结果表明,煤焦的比表面积主要由孔径小于10nm的微孔和中孔构成,而其孔容积则主要由孔径为2nm~50nm的中孔构成。高温下煤焦比表面积和孔容积随热解温度的升高,呈现先增大后减小的非单调变化现象,转折温度约为1600K。出现这种变化的主要原因是煤焦在热解温度超过1600K后开始烧结,产生较为光滑致密的表面结构,部分孔隙封闭。     

Aerosol-assisted fabrication of mesoporous titania spheres with crystallized anatase structures and investigation of their photocatalitic properties

We demonstrate practical aerosol-assisted approach to synthesize spherical mesoporous titania particles with high surface areas. Scanning electron microscopy observation of the spray-dried products clearly shows spherical morphology. To remove surfactants and enhance crystallinity, the spray-dried products are calcined under various temperatures. The crystalline structures inside the particles are carefully detected by wide-angle XRD measurements. With increase of the calcination temperatures, anatase crystal growth proceeds and transformation from anatase to rutile is occurred. The effect of various calcination temperatures on the mesostructures is also studied by using N₂ adsorption desorption isotherms. The mesoporous titania particles calcined at 350, 400, and 500 °C exhibit type IV isotherms with a capillary condensation step and shows a hysteresis loop, which is a characteristic of mesoporous materials. The reduction in the surface areas and the pore volumes is confirmed by increasing the calcination temperatures, while the average pore diameters are increased gradually. This is attributed to the distortion of the mesostructures due to the grain growth of the anatase phase and the transformation to the rutile phase during the calcination process. As a preliminary experimental photocatalytic activity, oxidative decomposition of acetaldehyde under UV irradiation is examined. The mesoporous titania calcined at 400 °C shows the highest photocatalytic activity, due to both high surface area and well-developed anatase crystalline phase.     

Thermogravimetric Analysis of Corn Cob Impregnated With Zinc Chloride for Preparation of Activated Carbon

The thermochemical decomposition of agricultural by-product corn cob impregnated with ZnCl₂, as a precursor material for producing the activated carbons, was investigated by thermogravimetric (TG) analysis at the heating rate of 5 and 10°C min^–1 under a controlled atmosphere of nitrogen (60 ml min^–1). The appearance of a peak in the differential thermogravimetric plot (DTG) in the temperature range of 400–600°C is significantly related to the extent of impregnation. The DTG curve of the sample impregnated with the optimal impregnation ratio of 175% (i.e., the ratio of ZnCl₂ mass of 87.5 g in the 200 cm³ of water to corn cobmass of 50 g), which yields an optimal BET surface area of the activated carbon and displays a DTG peak at about 500°C. This may be partially due to the intense chemical activation and results in the formation of a porous structure in the activated solid residue. This observation is also in close agreement with previous results at optimal pyrolysis temperatures of 500°C and with similar experimental conditions. In order to support the results in the TG-DTG analysis, the development of pore structure of the resulting activated carbons thus obtained by previous studies was also examined and explained using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Enhanced photoactivity of neodymium doped mesoporous titania synthesized through aqueous sol–gel method

Nanosize neodymium doped titania has been prepared by hydrolysis of titanium oxychloride followed by peptisation under acidic condition. The anatase to rutile phase transformation temperature was found to increase by 150 °C as a result of neodymium doping. The doped sample shows 10 times higher surface area than the undoped one after calcining at 700 °C. All the samples calcined at 500, 600 and 700 °C show type IV isotherm, which is characteristic of mesoporous material. The pore size distribution curves also show that the pores are in mesoporous region. Further, the neodymium doped titania shows increased photoactivity than the undoped titania with respect to decomposition of methylene blue when subjected to UV light. The transmission electron micrograph indicates that a nanocrystalline doped titania is obtained through the present method. The effect of neodymium doping on the anatase phase stability, specific surface area and photoactivity are reported.     

Synthesis of nitrogen-containing carbon materials for solid polymer fuel cell cathodes

The following nitrogen-containing supports with various nitrogen contents and structure and texture properties were synthesized: carbon nanofibers (N-CNFs) and amorphous microporous carbon materials (N-AMCMs). It was found that the above characteristics can be regulated by varying synthesis conditions: precursor compositions and reaction temperature and time. Mesoporous nitrogen-containing CNFs with a specific surface area of 30–350 m²/g and a pore volume of 0.10–0.83 cm³/g were formed by the catalytic decomposition of a mixture of ethylene with ammonia at 450–675°C. Microporous materials (N-AMCMs) with a specific surface area of 472–3436 m²/g and a micropore volume of 0.22–1.88 cm³/g were prepared by the carbonization of nitrogen-containing organic compounds at 700–900°C. An increase in the carbonization temperature and reaction time resulted in an increase in the specific surface area and microporosity of N-AMCMs, whereas lower temperatures of 450–550°C and reaction times of 1–3 h were optimal for the preparation of N-CNFs with a developed texture. It was found that milder synthesis conditions and higher nitrogen contents of precursors were required for obtaining high nitrogen concentrations in both N-CNFs and N-AMCMs. The synthetic method developed allowed us to prepare carbon supports with nitrogen contents to 8 wt %.     

Influence of pyrolysis temperature on the properties of sol–gel derived zinc oxide films

The influence of pyrolysis temperature on the properties of sol–gel derived zinc oxide films has been investigated. As-deposited films were pyrolyzed at 300 °C for 30 min and at 500 °C for 10 min. Final annealing was done at 600 °C for 30 min in air. The as-grown films deposited on soda-lime-silica glass substrates were highly c-axis oriented. Distinct grain structure was present in the film pyrolyzed at 500 °C, while the surface of the film pyrolyzed at 300 °C was smooth and no observed texture. The surface of ZnO pyrolyzed at 300 °C was covered with needle-like grain growth. With increasing pyrolysis temperature at 500 °C, a three-dimensional island formation was appeared.     

Study on the gas evolution and char structural change during pyrolysis of cotton stalk

The gas release properties and char structural evolution during the pyrolysis of cotton stalk were investigated. The evolution characteristics of volatile products were examined by pyrolysis–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)/thermal conductivity detection (TCD) analysis (Py–FTIR/TCD). The char chemical structure and physical characteristics were investigated by means of FTIR and N₂ physisorption techniques. Evolution characteristics of the main volatile products were given. The evolution of CO₂ was approximately 26 °C earlier than that of CO. CH₄ evolution covered over a wider temperature range of 300–600 °C, with a maximum at 394 °C. The amount of hydroxyl, aliphatic CH and olefinic CC bonds in the char decreased significantly above 250 °C. The aromatization process started at ≈350 °C and continued to higher temperatures, leaving the char enriched with condensed aromatic ring systems. The BET surface area increased continually with increasing temperature to reach a maximum value of 4.68 m²/g at 500 °C and decreased at higher temperatures. The micropore volume showed a similar behavior to the surface area, while the mesopore volume and total pore volume always increased.     

Physicochemical properties of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> (anatase) prepared by the centrifugal thermal activation of hydrated titanium dioxide

The physicochemical properties of titania (anatase) prepared from hydrated titanium dioxide by centrifugal thermal activation (CTA) at 140–700°C were studied. It was found that the microstructure and the texture parameters of anatase prepared by the above method were considerably different from those of the samples prepared by the traditional thermal decomposition of titanium hydroxide. The conditions of centrifugal activation exerted a considerable effect on the structure and the texture parameters of the resulting anatase. The crystal structure of anatase prepared at a temperature lower than 650°C was imperfect, and it approached a regular structure only at a temperature of >650°C. At temperatures higher than 300°C, the samples of TiO₂ prepared using CTA were characterized by higher specific surface areas, fine pore structures, and comparable mesopore volumes, as compared with the samples prepared by commonly used synthetic methods.     

Kinetics of pyrolysis and properties of carbon black from a scrap tire

The pyrolysis of rubber from the sidewall and tread of a passenger car tire was carried out in a nitrogen flow at a wide range of final temperatures. Derivative thermogravimetric analysis (DTG) was applied to examine the kinetics at the different process conditions of completed pyrolysis. Two characteristic stages were observed in the DTG curves. The first stage corresponded to the decomposition of processing oil, plastifier, and additives, whereas the rubber polymer was decomposed in the second stage. Several properties of the carbon black formed by the pyrolysis such as ash content, specific surface area, and pore size distribution were determined. A change of the internal structure of the rubber particle in the meso-and macroregions of the pore size was observed. Presented at the 33rd International Conference of the Slovak Society of Chemical Engineering, Tatranské Matliare, 22–26 May 2006.     

Thermal degradation and evolved gas analysis of N,N′-bis(2 hydroxyethyl) linseed amide (BHLA) during pyrolysis and combustion

The thermal degradation of N,N′-bis(2 hydroxyethyl) linseed amide (BHLA) was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy (TG–FTIR–MS). Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the thermal degradation process can be subdivided into three stages: sample drying (<200 °C), main decomposition (200–500 °C), and further cracking (>500 °C) of the polymer. The compound reached almost 800 °C during pyrolysis and combustion. The activation energy at the second step during combustion was slightly higher than that of pyrolysis emissions of carbon dioxide, aliphatic hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen cyanide, and other gases during combustion and pyrolysis were detected by FTIR and MS spectra. It was observed that the intensities of CO₂, CO, HCN, and H₂O were very high when compared with their intensities during pyrolysis, and this was attributed to the oxidation of the decomposition product.     

Structural and surface heterogeneity of phosphorus-containing polyimide-derived carbons: effect of heat treatment temperature

Phosphorus-containing carbons have been obtained by carbonization of porous copolymer of 4,4′-bis(maleimidodiphenyl)methane (50 mol%) and divinylbenzene (50 mol%) in presence of phosphoric acid at temperatures 400–1000 °C. Porous structure was analyzed by nitrogen adsorption isotherms while surface chemistry was investigated by potentiometric titration method. It has been shown that carbons obtained at 500–1000 °C are micro-mesoporous with pore sizes of 1–1.1, 2–3 and 5.4 nm. The most developed porosity was achieved at 600 °C reaching BET surface area 890 m²/g and total pore volume 0.45 cm³/g. Carbons obtained by carbonization of polyimide precursor in presence of phosphoric acid showed acidic character with 30–40 % of phosphate surface groups. Maximum total amount of acidic surface groups was achieved at 800 °C reaching 3.2 mmol/g. Assignment of strongly acidic surface groups to phosphates was corroborated by pK value, phosphorus content and thermal gravimetric analysis.     

Photoionization Mass Spectrometry: A Useful Method to Evaluate the Pyrolysis Process of Glycoside Flavor Precursor

The thermal decomposition behavior and the pyrolysis products of benzyl‐2,3,4,6‐tetra‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (BGLU) were studied with synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoionization mass spectrometry at temperatures of 300, 500 and 700 °C at 0.062 Pa. Several pyrolysis products and intermediates were identified by the measurement of photoionization mass spectra at different photon energies. The results indicated that the primary decomposition reaction was the cleavage of O‐glycosidic bond of the glycoside at low temperature, proven by the discoveries of benzyloxy radical (m/z = 107) and glycon radical (m/z = 331) in mass spectra. As pyrolysis temperature increased from 300 to 700 °C, two possible pyrolytic modes were observed. This work reported an application of synchrotron VUV photoionization mass spectrometry in the study of the thermal decomposition of glycoside flavor precursor, which was expected to help understand the thermal decomposition mechanism of this type of compound. The possibility of this glycoside to be used as a flavor precursor in high temperature process was evaluated.     

Primary thermal degradation processes occurring in poly(phenylenesulfide) investigated by direct pyrolysis–mass spectrometry

The thermal degradation Processes which occur in poly(phenylenesulfide) (PPS) have been studied by direct pyrolysis-mass spectrometry (DPMS). The structure of the compounds evolved in the overall temperature range of PPS decomposition (400–700°C) suggests the occurrence of several thermal decomposition steps. At the onset of the thermal degradation (430–450°C) this polymer decomposes with the formation of cyclic oligomers, generated by a simple cylization mechanism either initiated at the—SH end groups or by the exchange between the inner sulfur atoms along the polymer chain. At higher temperature (> 500°C) another decomposition reaction takes over with the formation of aromatic linear thiols. The formation of thiodibenzofuran units by a subsequent dehydrogenation reaction occurs in the temperature range of 550–650°C; in fact, pyrolysis products with a quasi-ladder structure have also been detected. Ultimately, above 600°C, extrusion of sulfur from the pyrolysis residue occurs with the maximum evolution at the end of decomposition (about 700°C). It appears, therefore, that the residue obtained at high temperature tends to have a crosslinked graphite-like structure from which the bonded sulfur is extruded. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Surface Chemistry and Structure of Silicon Oxycarbide Gels and Glasses

In this study, the surface chemistry and structure of methyl-substituted silica gels and porous oxycarbide glasses were investigated. FTIR was used to measure the relative concentration of Si−CH₃ and Si−OH as a function of the degree of methyl-substitution and the pyrolysis temperature. The gels and glasses were further heated, dehydrated or hydrated, in situ, within the FTIR spectrometer. In the temperature range of 800–850°C, high surface area oxycarbide glasses were created with no detectable surface hydroxyl groups. Oxycarbide glasses synthesized in argon at 700°C displayed a weak band for surface hydroxyl groups and reversible physisorption of water, while those synthesized at 850/900°C showed a complete absence of surface hydroxyl groups and the formation of vicinal silanols upon chemisorption of water. Isolated silanols were observed upon heat treatment in vacuum. Formation of aromatic carbon species was found to correlate with the decomposition of the methyl groups. The oxycarbide surface is quite stable to densification (presumably due to elemental carbon on the pore surfaces). In the absence of oxygen, porous silicon oxycarbide glass powders maintain surface areas >200 m²/g at 1200°C. However, oxidizing species in the atmosphere deplete the aromatic carbon species, and the glasses lose surface area.     

Characteristics and kinetics analysis of Codonopsis pilosula pyrolysis

Eight kinds of Radix Codonopsis (RC) from different origins in China were selected as the experimental samples fort his study. Their pyrolysis processes were researched by the method of thermogravimetry analysis, in which the heating course was set in the ways of programming temperature from room temperature to 500 °C at different heating rates. Research results show that the process in the heating period of RC includes three stages: water loss, fast pyrolysis, and medium rate decomposition. For cultivated RC, the average initial decomposition temperature in the fast pyrolysis stage is 115 °C, whereas the peak temperature of the fast pyrolysis stage is changed from 189 to 225 °C, in which stage the alcohol-soluble substances are mainly decomposed. It is required to control the operational temperatures of drying and concocting processes according to initial decomposition temperature. Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose model can be used to describe the process mechanism of RC pyrolysis, and the kinetic analyses based on the fast pyrolysis stage thermogravimetric data show that the activation energies change from 141 to 207 kJ mol^?1 for cultivated RC samples and 122 to 131 kJ mol^?1for wild RC samples. The alcohol-soluble extract (ASE) content of wild RC samples is lower than that of cultivated RC samples; their thermal stability is also relatively poor.     

Effect of different temperatures on the properties of pyrolysis products of Parthenium hysterophorus

This research encompasses the use of noxious weed Parthenium hysterophorus as feedstock for pyrolysis carried out at varying temperatures of 300, 450 and 600°C. Temperature significantly affected the yield and properties of the pyrolysis products including char, syngas and bio-oil. Biochar yield decreased from 61% to 37% from 300 °C to 600 °C, whereas yield of gas and oil increased with increasing temperature. The pyrolysis products were physico-chemically characterized. In biochar, pH, conductivity, fixed carbon, ash content, bulk density and specific surface area of the biochar increased whereas cation exchange capacity, calorific value, volatile matter, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen content decreased with increasing temperature. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the biochar prepared at higher temperature was more stable. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis of biochar indicated the presence of alkanes, alkenes, nitriles, fatty acids, esters, amides and aromatic compounds. Number of compounds decreased with increasing temperature, but aromatic compounds increased with increasing temperature. Scanning electron micrographs of biochar prepared at different temperatures indicated micropore formation at lower temperature while increase in the size of pores and disorganization of vessels occurred at increasing temperature. The chemical composition was found to be richer at lower pyrolysis temperature. GC–MS analysis of the bio-oil indicated the presence of phenols, ketones, acids, alkanes, alkenes, nitrogenated compounds, heterocyclics and benzene derivatives.     

Synthesis and Characterizations of Hydroxy-aluminum Cross-Linked Montmorillonite

Cross-linked montmorillonite was prepared by reacting homoionic sodium form of bentonite (Na-M) from Istenmezeje (Hungary) with high molecular weight polyhydroxy-aluminum complex. The complex was prepared by controlled hydrolysis of alumina macrocation. The intercalated clay (Na-Al-M) was thermally treated to convert the hydroxy cations to oxide pillars. The pillared products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourie transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), (thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermal analysis-mass spectrometry (TA-MS) methods. The specific surface area as well as pore size and pore structure distribution of samples were measured by nitrogen, water and carbon tetrachloride adsorption, and the heat of immersion was also determined. The pillared products were characterized by d(001) reflections of 19 Å, which is stable even at 500°C. The interaction of polymer alumina caused several changes in the obtained FTIR spectra due to the formation of different new bonds. The rate of dehydroxylation of the pillared product is very moderate, the water release occurred in different temperature ranges according to TA-MS results. Dehydration starts at interfaces and at the wall of pores, occurring nearly with uniform rate at 250-500°C. DTA curve indicates the formation of a new phase at 950°C. The obtained surface area of the pillared product by nitrogen adsorption becomes larger (208 m2 g-1) with respect to the non pillared clay, which decreases less than 10% upto 700°C. The pillared sample has a definite pore structure, the quantity of micropores (0-40 Å) decreased with increasing of macropores (>1000 Å). The obtained domestic pillared montmorillonite possesses a high degree of thermal stability and may be used as adsorbent.