Catalytic pyrolysis of Argemone mexicana seeds over synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles to produce renewable fuels

Abstract

Titanium oxide (TiO2) nano particles were synthesized through the sol–gel technique and employed for catalytic pyrolysis of Argemone mexicana seed. Synthesized nano particles were investigated through different characterisation techniques such as TGA, XRD, FTIR, FESEM and BET. The seed sample was subjected to catalytic pyrolysis at 550 °C with a heating rate of 20 °C/min in a semi-batch reactor using varying concentrations (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) of nano-catalyst. Optimum yield of bio-oil (74.29 wt%) was obtained at 15 wt% catalyst concentration. The catalytic bio-oil was further subjected to various physiochemical properties to examine the relevancy as a substitute for conventional fuel. It was found that the synthesized nano-particle significantly enhanced the rupture of bonds present in the biomass to produce lighter fractions product with more proportion of saturated hydrocarbons. Catalytic pyrolysis oil has a calorific value that is nearly double that of bio-oil produced by the thermal pyrolysis of Argemone mexicana seed. The bio-char was also examined for BET and FESEM to investigate its further application.