Pyrolysis behaviour and kinetic analysis of waste polylactic acid composite reinforced with reed straw processing residue

Chen, B., Ma, S., Kumar, S., Yao, Z., Feng, W., Zhao, J., Zhang, X., Cai, D., Cao, H. and Watson, I. (2024) Pyrolysis behaviour and kinetic analysis of waste polylactic acid composite reinforced with reed straw processing residue. Carbon Resources Conversion, 7(3), 100226. (doi: 10.1016/j.crcon.2024.100226)

Abstract

The lignocellulose reinforced composites are commonly used sustainable materials with good mechanical and physical properties. Aiming to properly dispose and recover the potential value of discarded lignocellulose reinforced composites, the pyrolysis behaviour and kinetics of reed straw processing residual/polylactic acid (RSPR/PLA) composites, a typical 3D printing material, was investigated. Based on the TG-FTIR results, the synergistic effects between RSPR and PLA during the pyrolysis process were clarified. Compared with the FTIR spectra of PLA, the absorption peaks of CO and CO2 disappear in the FTIR spectra of RSPR/PLA composite, which indicates RSPR provides additional free radicals for the free radical reaction of PLA, and further promoting the decomposition. The apparent activation energy of the RSPR/PLA composite pyrolysis was calculated by two iso-conversional methods including Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS). The average Ea of the RSPR/PLA composite (122.6 kJ mol−1 (FWO) and 117.9 kJ mol−1 (KAS)) was lower than that of solo pyrolysis of RSPR (138.5 kJ mol−1 (FWO) and 135.4 kJ mol−1 (KAS)) and the pure PLA (197.0 kJ mol−1 (FWO) and 196.6 kJ mol−1 (KAS)). The master plot method results suggested the pyrolysis of RSPR/PLA composite followed the one-dimensional (D1) diffusion model. This work provides an environmentally friendly strategy to effective thermo-chemical upgrading of the value of discarded lignocellulose reinforced composite material.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was funded by the Bingtuan Science and Technology Program (Grant No. 2022DB025), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) (Grant No. EP/M01343X/1), and China Scholarship Council, China (Grant No. 201906880041).
• Keywords: Biobased composite, pyrolysis conversion, synergy, bio-oil, reaction kinetics.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Chen, Bo and Watson, Dr Ian

Creator Roles

Chen, B.: Writing – review and editing, Writing – original draft, Visualization, Methodology, Funding acquisition, Data curation, Conceptualization
Watson, I.: Supervision

• Authors: Chen, B., Ma, S., Kumar, S., Yao, Z., Feng, W., Zhao, J., Zhang, X., Cai, D., Cao, H., and Watson, I.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: Carbon Resources Conversion
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 2588-9133
• ISSN (Online): 2588-9133
• Published Online: 26 January 2024
• Copyright Holders: Copyright: © 2024 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Carbon Resources Conversion 7(3): 100226
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
190847		Real time control of gasifiers to increase tolerance to biomass variety and reduce emissions	Ian Watson	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)	EP/M01343X/1	ENG - Systems Power & Energy