Analysis of Interactions Occurring during the Pyrolysis of Lignocellulosic Biomass

Abstract

This paper presents a review of the recent advances in research on the interactions between the components of lignocellulosic biomass. The literature reports on the effects of interaction between lignocellulosic biomass components, such as cellulose–lignin, lignin–hemicellulose, and hemicellulose–cellulose, were discussed. The results obtained by other researchers were analyzed from the viewpoint of the interactions between the pyrolysis products formed along with the impact effects of the organic and inorganic components present or added to the biomass with regard to the yield and composition of the pyrolysis products. Disagreements about some statements were noted along with the lack of an unequivocal opinion about the directivity of interactions occurring during biomass pyrolysis. Based on the data in the scientific literature, it was suggested that the course of the pyrolysis process of biomass blends can be appropriately directed by changes in the ratio of basic biomass components or by additions of inorganic or organic substances.

Catalytic and Inhibitory Effects Induced by Noncovalent Interactions between Cellulose and Lignin during Fast Pyrolysis

“…The interactions between the three biomass constituents are inherently intricate in the plant cell wall, involving covalent bonds and noncovalent interactions (NCIs) such as hydrogen bonds, π–π stacking, and van der Waals forces . When operating in concert, such NCIs can result in differences in Gibbs free energy, leading to transition-state stabilization or destabilization. , Understanding the effects of these interactions at the molecular level is essential to the macroscopic process design, scale-up, and optimization of biomass fast pyrolysis technologies to obtain the most desirable product distributions. , In particular, the interactions between CE and lignin during fast pyrolysis have been a subject of extensive research over the last two decades, yet no conclusive consensus has been reached. − Early experimental studies postulated that CE–lignin interactions affect secondary decomposition of levoglucosan (LG, 1,6-anhydro-β- d -glucopyranose). However, contradictory findings in LG yields lead to different hypotheses regarding the effects of lignin in the literature, − where inhibited LG polymerization, inhibited LG degradation, or catalyzed LG degradation is proposed.…”