Catalytic effect of tin oxide nanoparticles on cellulose pyrolysis

Abstract

In this study, SnO2 nanoparticles were synthesized via hydrothermal method and used as a catalyst for cellulose (model biomass) pyrolysis. Effect of catalyst on the yields of pyrolysis products was discussed in details. Optimum catalyst to biomass ratio was found as %5 (w/w). The pyrolytic oil (tar) was characterized by Gas chromatography–Mass spectrometry (GC–MS) while the gaseous products were characterized with micro Gas Chromatography (μGC) to understand the catalytic ability of SnO2 nanoparticles. The results indicate that gaseous product yields significantly increase while the char yield decreases. Although the tar yields don’t change significantly in the uncatalysed runs, the product distribution in tar decreases in the presence of catalyst.