Generalized master plots as a straightforward approach for determining the kinetic model: The case of cellulose pyrolysis

• Published in: Thermochimica acta 2013-01, Vol.552 (20), p.54-59
• Main Authors: Sánchez-Jiménez, Pedro E., Pérez-Maqueda, Luis A., Perejón, Antonio, Criado, José M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cellulose; Chemical thermodynamics; Chemistry; Constants; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; General. Theory; heat; Heating; Kinetics; Master plots; Mathematical models; Pyrolysis; Random scission; Reaction kinetics; Schedules; thermal analysis; Thermal degradation
• ISSN: 0040-6031; 1872-762X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tca.2012.11.003

► Generalized master plots: straightforward method for kinetic model discrimination. ► Master plots method requires little to no computational power yet provides accurate results. ► Model-free and generalized master plots methods are employed. ► The cellulose thermal degradation obeys a chain scission kinetic model. The thermal degradation of cellulose is a complex reaction and, despite the large amount of work by many investigators during the last decades, the actual understanding of the thermal decomposition kinetics is still very limited. Thus, while several mechanisms have been proposed to describe the process, the real model has not yet been clearly identified. In this paper, a set of experimental curves recorded under different heating schedules, i.e., linear heating rate, isothermal and constant rate thermal analysis (CRTA), has been analyzed using isoconversional and master plots methodology to discriminate the kinetic model followed by the reaction.