The pyrolysis characteristics of moso bamboo

In the research, thermogravimetry (TG), a combination of thermogravimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (TG–FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to investigate pyrolysis characteristics of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens). The Flynn–Wall–Ozawa and Coats–Redfern (modified) methods were used to determine the apparent activation energy (Ea). The TG curve indicated that the pyrolysis process of moso bamboo included three steps and the main pyrolysis occurred in the second steps with temperature range from 450 K to 650 K and over 68.69% mass was degraded. TG–FTIR analysis showed that the main pyrolysis products included absorbed water (H2O), methane gas (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), acids and aldehydes, ammonia gas (NH3), etc. XRD analysis expressed that the index and width crystallinity of moso bamboo gradually increased from 273 K to 538 K and cellulose gradually degraded from amorphous region to crystalline region. The Ea values of moso bamboo increased with conversion rate increase from 10 to 70. The Ea values were, respectively 153.37–198.55 kJ/mol and 152.14–197.87 kJ/mol based on Flynn–Wall–Ozawa and Coats–Redfern (modified) methods. The information was very helpful and significant to design manufacturing process of bio-energy, made from moso bamboo, using gasification or pyrolysis methods.

► Three steps involved in moso bamboo pyrolysis process, 68.69% mass lost at 450–650 K.
► The main pyrolysis products are absorbed water, CH4, CO2, NH3, acids and aldehydes.
► Cellulose degrades gradually from amorphous to crystalline region at 273–538 K.
► The Ea values are 153.37–198.55 kJ/mol based on Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method.
► The Ea values are 152.14–197.87 kJ/mol based on Coats–Redfern (modified) method.