Physico-chemical characteristics of leaf litter biomass to delineate the chemistries involved in biofuel production

Abstract

Increase in energy demand across the world has put immense pressure on utilization of widely available lignocellulosic agricultural waste biomass and forest residues. Physico-chemical characteristics of leaf litter from largely grown tree species such as Mangifera indica, Populus deltoides and Polyalthia longifolia were evaluated for possible use in biorefinery. Physical and chemical properties of these leaf litter biomasses were examined using bomb calorimetry, SEM, XRD, TGA, CHNSO analysis, FTIR and solid state 13C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy. Low ash content (3.70wt%), high volatile matter (76.05wt%) and cellulose (37.75wt%) was observed from leaf litter biomass of P. deltoides. SEM of leaf litter biomass revealed compacted surface morphology of M. indica, however a fibrillar structure was observed in P. deltoides and P. longifolia. Maximum crystallinity index (CrI) was observed in leaf litter biomass of M. indica (23.13%) followed by P. longifolia (20.94%) and P. deltoides (20.93%). The calorific values of all biomasses were in the range of 18.37 to 19.32MJ/kg. Delineation of these physico-chemical characteristics together per se shows that leaf litter biomass can also act as a potential feedstock for biofuel production.