Surface characterization of lignocellulosic biomass submitted to pyrolysis

The aim of this work was to determine changes in the surface composition and structure of different biomass samples submitted to high temperature treatment. Cellulose and lignocellulosic biomass were pyrolysed in a stirred batch reactor under atmospheric pressure at 700 °C for 4 h. The reaction was executed without and in the presence of Ni/ZrO2 catalyst. Different biomass samples and the remaining residues after the pyrolysis were investigated by time‐of‐flight SIMS, infrared spectroscopy, and SEM. The results of the studies showed an alteration of the surface of materials submitted to high temperature treatment in comparison to untreated specimens. The composition of uppermost layer of biomass samples influenced the reaction yield and was notably different after pyrolysis in the presence of the catalyst. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.