Efficient ex-situ catalytic upgrading of biomass pyrolysis vapors to produce methylfurans and phenol over bio-based activated carbon

Abstract Analytical pyrolysis-comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC × GC/MS) was used for the on-line analysis of pyrolysis vapors. Bio-based activated carbon (B-AC) catalysts were used to produce highly selectivity valuable chemicals such as furans and phenols. B-AC catalyst was subjected to several characterizations to investigate the physicochemical properties of the catalyst and its relationship with products distribution. The results showed that B-AC catalyst showed high catalytic activity and selectivity for the production of furans and phenols under mild catalytic temperature (350 °C). Furans are mainly from pyrolysis of cellulose and hemicellulose, while phenols are mainly from pyrolysis of lignin. Methylfurans and phenol were dominated compounds. With the use of B-AC, the relative peak area of methylfurans increased from 6.58% to 39.35% (cellulose), 0%–27.79% (xylan), 0.54%–26.82% (corncob); the relative peak area of phenol increased from 6.31% to 53.83% (lignin) and 2.77%–12.34% (corncob). A significant reduction of aldehydes, ketones, and sugars was also observed over B-AC catalyst. The higher total acidity (weak acidity and Lewis acidity) of B-AC favored the formation of 2-methylfuran and phenol.