Influence of enzyme and chemical adsorption on the thermal degradation path for eucalyptus pulp

Changes in thermal degradation path of eucalyptus pulp support enzymes (laccase from Trametes villosa) and chemicals (Tris–HCl or tartrate–tartaric buffer) adsorption on cellulose during biobleaching, thereby increasing cellulose amount that degrades at low temperature and decreasing the apparent crystallinity (ApC) of cellulose crystallites. Changes in ApC, which can be assessed by thermogravimetric analysis —but not X-ray diffraction spectroscopy—affect cellulose volatilization; thus, the higher ApC is, the lower is char production and the higher the volatilization temperature. A linear relationship between ApC and the volatilization/charring ratio (V/C) was observed in this work.

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► Enzymes and chemicals adsorption changes thermal degradation path of cellulose.
► Adsorptions on pulp fibres increase their amorphous cellulose content.
► Charring/volatilization ratio of pulp is affected by adsorptions.