Catalytic fast pyrolysis of torrefied corn cob to aromatic hydrocarbons over Ni-modified hierarchical ZSM-5 catalyst

Catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) of torrefied corn cob using Ni-modified hierarchical ZSM-5 catalyst was conducted in this study. The prepared catalysts were characterized by N 2 adsorption and desorption (N 2 -BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and temperature-programmed desorption of NH 3 (NH 3 -TPD). NaOH solution treatment resulted in the lower peak intensities of hierarchical ZSM-5 catalyst in the XRD patterns while Ni modification improved the catalyst framework. In addition, NaOH solution treatment created some mesopores or macropores, but the incorporation of Ni reduced BET surface area and volume of micropores. Though the addition of Ni lowered the acidity of catalyst, Ni-modified hierarchical ZSM-5 catalyst led to higher yields and of aromatic hydrocarbons. What is more, hierarchical ZSM-5 catalysts significantly improved the selectivities of mono-aromatics. Kinetic analysis shows that CFP of torrefied corn cob was second-order reaction and the addition of Ni can obtain a lower activation energy compared with hierarchical ZSM-5 catalyst.