Catalytic pyrolysis of meranti sawdust: enhancing the formation of cellulose‐ and hemicellulose‐derived products using NiO / SBA ‐15

Abstract This research investigates the catalytic pyrolysis of meranti sawdust, a wood‐manufacturing residue, utilizing NiO/SBA‐15 for converting it into useful chemicals and fuels. The product compositions were analyzed via pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry at 350–550 °C under a helium gas flow, and the pyrolysis kinetics were studied using a thermogravimetric analyzer under a nitrogen gas flow. According to the pyrolysis chromatograms (pyrograms) of the products, adding NiO/SBA‐15 increased the relative peak area (%) of products generated from cellulose/hemicellulose – including furans, furfurals, and levoglucosan – as well as lignin‐derived products such as vanillin. The NiO/SBA‐15 catalyst reduced the activation energy for the pyrolysis of meranti sawdust from 170.94 to 147.30 kJ mol −1 , as estimated by the Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose method. However, NiO/SBA‐15 also increased the relative abundance of oxygenated compounds derived from cellulose and hemicellulose, which were considered undesirable for fuel‐quality applications. The results highlight the need to upgrade procedures and optimizing conditions in pyrolysis to enhance product quality, hence enabling its use in the production of biofuels and chemicals.