Pyrolysis behavior of levoglucosan as an intermediate in cellulose pyrolysis: Polymerization into polysaccharide as a key reaction to carbonized product formation

Abstract

Pyrolysis behavior of levoglucosan (1,6-anhydro-β-D-glucopyranose), the major anhydromonosaccharide formed during cellulose pyrolysis, was studied at 250°-400°C under nitrogen. The pyrolysis products were found to change stepwise: levoglucosan → MeOH-soluble fraction (lower-molecular- weight products and oligosaccharides) → water-soluble fraction (polysaccharides) → insoluble fraction (carbonized products). From the present experimental results, a pathway of cellulose pyrolysis via anhydromonosaccharide is proposed including polymerization to polysaccharides (a reversible reaction) as a key reaction to carbonized product formation.