Fast
pyrolysis bio-oils are feasible energy carriers and a potential source
of chemicals. Detailed characterization of bio-oils is essential to
further develop its potential use. In this study, quantitative 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) combined
with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC)
was used to characterize fast pyrolysis bio-oils originated from pinewood,
wheat straw, and rapeseed cake. The combination of both techniques
provided new information on the chemical composition of bio-oils for
further upgrading. 13C NMR analysis indicated that pinewood-based
bio-oil contained mostly methoxy/hydroxyl (≈30%) and carbohydrate
(≈27%) carbons; wheat straw bio-oil showed to have high amount
of alkyl (≈35%) and aromatic (≈30%) carbons, while rapeseed
cake-based bio-oil had great portions of alkyl carbons (≈82%).
More than 200 compounds were identified and quantified using GC ×
GC coupled to a flame ionization detector (FID) and a time of flight
mass spectrometer (TOF-MS). Nonaromatics were the most abundant and
comprised about 50% of the total mass of compounds identified and
quantified via GC × GC. In addition, this analytical approach
allowed the quantification of high value-added phenolic compounds,
as well as of low molecular weight carboxylic acids and aldehydes,
which exacerbate the unstable and corrosive character of the bio-oil.