Biomass-plastic fusion: In-depth characterization through FTIR and TGA analysis

Abstract

As nonrenewable resources are rapidly depleting, environmental pollution considerably increases. Biomass is converted into energy through thermochemical and biological processes, and pyrolysis is the most suitable and effective among thermochemical methods. This study primarily focuses on the co-pyrolysis of biomass and plastic waste and aims to determine the properties of biomass, food waste, and plastic blends through Fourier transform infrared analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and ultimate analysis and characterize the results of their mixing. Sample preparation techniques were demonstrated, and different biomass to plastic mixture ratios were used. Additionally, combining plastic waste with biomass inhibits energy breakdown and reduce biochar waste. Moreover, the co-pyrolysis of biomass and plastic was explored, and the methods for preparing composites of biomass and plastic waste were discussed. TGA analysis results showed that the ratio of plastic to biomass affected the yield of the bioproducts. When plastic content was 100%, the bio-oil yield was 0%, and the biochar yield and gas were 93.84% and 6.16%, respectively. When the ratio of plastic to biomass was 75%, the bio-oil yield increased to 9.16%, and the syngas yield was 12.29%. Biochar and syngas yields decreased and increased, respectively, with decreasing plastic content. Biochar was 57.46%, and syngas yield was 36.31% at a ratio of plastic to biomass of 50%. The yields at 100% plastic content were higher than 75% plastic content possibly due to the difference in carbon content among the feedstocks. This study provides valuable insights into the effects of the ratio of plastic to biomass on yield of the byproducts.