TG-FTIR and Py-GC–MS analysis of a model compound of cellulose – glyceraldehyde

The pyrolytic characteristics of glyceraldehyde as one of the important model compounds of cellulose were examined by TG-FTIR and Py-GC–MS analysis. According to the experimental observations, the glyceraldehyde pyrolysis could be represented through two routes: (i) direct decomposition of glyceraldehyde to light fragments (such as CO, CO2, H2O and glycolaldehyde) and polymerization to the intermediates at low temperatures; and (ii) intermediates decomposition to high-molecular weight volatiles (such as furanone, furfural, 5-methyl furfural and 5-hydroxymethyl furfural) at higher temperatures. The possible chemical pathways for the two-step pyrolysis reactions were systematically proposed, based on the distribution of typical products at different temperatures from Py-GC–MS analysis. A two step-consecutive kinetic model was proposed to describe the process of glyceraldehyde pyrolysis. The best-fit kinetic parameters were obtained and the sensitivities of the parameters were also analyzed. All of the results and findings would help further understanding of thermal behavior of cellulose and its thermo-chemical utilization for fuels and chemicals.