Thermogravimetric analysis and structure change of lime-pretreated Spartina alterniflora

The thermal behavior and structure change of Spartina alterniflora pretreated with lime were investigated with raw and water-soaked samples for comparisons. Pretreatment significantly changed thermal decomposition behavior and activation energy. The activation energy of S. alterniflora ranged from 100.7 to 128 kJ/mol at the main decomposition stage. FTIR and solid-state C-13 NMR analyses revealed that pretreatment disrupted the carboxyl carbons attached to the lignin side chain. Compared with water soaking, lime pretreatment resulted in more modifications of structure and composition. Furthermore, structure breakage and composition removal change the pyrolysis characteristics of pretreated samples.