Analytical pyrolysis studies of corn stalk and its three main components by TG-MS and Py-GC/MS

The pyrolysis behaviors of corn stalk and its three real components (i.e. hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin) have been investigated with the techniques of TG-MS and Py-GC/MS. The thermal behavior and the evolution profiles of major volatile fragments from each sample pyrolysis have been discussed in depth, while paying close attention to the impact and contributions of each component on the raw material pyrolysis. It was found that pyrolysis of the corn stalk was a comprehensive reflection of its three main components both on thermogravimetric characteristics and on products distribution and their formation profiles. Hemicellulose definitely made the greatest contribution to the formation of acids and ketones at around 300 °C. Cellulose was more dedicated to the products of furans and small molecule aldehydes in a short temperature range 320–410 °C. While lignin mainly contributed to produce phenols and heterocyclic compounds over a wider temperature range 240–550 °C. The experimental results obtained in the present work are of interest for further studies on selective fast pyrolysis of biomass into energy and chemicals.