Improved production of levoglucosan and levoglucosenone from acid-impregnated cellulose via fast pyrolysis

In this research, the production of levoglucosan (LG) and levoglucosenone (LGO) was improved from acid-impregnated cellulose via fast pyrolysis. Thermogravimetric and kinetic analysis disclosed the production formation mechanism. The impregnation of acid could reduce the activation energy and lower the reaction temperature. Furthermore, the yield of LG from H 3 PO 4 - and H 2 SO 4 -impregnated cellulose increased significantly (26.4–35.8 wt%) compared with that of pure cellulose (7.5 wt%) pyrolysis at 300 °C. At 350 °C, 0.1 wt% H 3 PO 4 -impregnated cellulose gave a maximum LGO yield (18.3 wt%) via pyrolysis, which increased 36 times concerning that of cellulose without acid impregnation (0.5 wt%). This study exhibited great potential for industrial LG and LGO production from cellulose at low temperatures.