Pyrolysis Process of Biomass and Carbon Materials
Summary
Pyrolysis involves thermally decomposing organic feedstocks in an oxygen-limited environment to yield solid char, liquid bio-oil and gaseous products. Process parameters such as temperature, heating rate and residence time govern the distribution of products and the structural evolution of resultant materials. Slow pyrolysis at moderate temperatures favours char formation with well-developed pore networks, while fast pyrolysis targets high bio-oil yields through rapid vapour quenching. Co-pyrolysis and catalytic pyrolysis introduce synergistic interactions to tailor the chemical profile of bio-oil and enhance char porosity and surface functionality. Post-pyrolysis activation—physical, chemical or templated—further refines carbon frameworks for applications in adsorption, energy storage and catalysis. Interest in biomass-derived carbons arises from their renewable origin, carbon sequestration potential and versatility across water treatment, soil amendment, fuel production and advanced materials. Recent endeavours integrate mechanistic studies with scalable reactor designs, highlighting global efforts to transition from fossil resources towards sustainable carbon management and value-added bioproducts.
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Pyrolysis Process of Biomass and Carbon Materials publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in pyrolysis process of biomass and carbon materials across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Bio-oil: Liquid fraction from biomass pyrolysis, rich in oxygenated organics.
Biochar: Carbon-rich solid product used for adsorption and soil amendment.
Devolatilisation: Release of volatile compounds during thermal decomposition.
Fast pyrolysis: High heating-rate process favouring liquid yields.
Activation: Post-treatment to enhance surface area and porosity.
Co-pyrolysis: Simultaneous pyrolysis of mixed feedstocks for synergistic effects.
References
- Cross-polymerization between bio-oil and polyaniline: synergistic effects on pore development in subsequent activation and adsorption of phenol. Industrial Chemistry and Materials (2024).
- Coke Formation and Zeolite Catalyst Effects on Products from Co‐pyrolysis of Waste Tyre and Poplar Wood in a Semi‐Batch Reactor under N2 Atmosphere. Energy Technology (2024).
- Application of Catalysts in the Conversion of Biomass and Its Derivatives. Catalysts (2024).
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