Catalytic Pyrolysis of the Green Microalgae Botryococcus braunii over Ni/SBA-15
RR Dirgarini Julia Nurlianti Subagyono (a)*, Sri Astika Putri (a) , Maykel Manawan (b) , Mamun Mollah (c) , Rudy Agung Nugroho (d) , Rahmat Gunawan (a)

(a) Physical Chemistry Laboratory, Chemistry Department, Mulawarman University, Samarinda,
East Kalimantan, Indonesia
(b) Indonesia Defense University, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia
(c) School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
(d) Biology Department, Mulawarman University, Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract

The pyrolysis of the green microalgae Botryococcus braunii in the absence and the presence of Ni/SBA-15 prepared by the ultrasonic-assisted sol-gel was investigated using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (Py-GC/MS). Pyrolysis experiments were performed at 350, 450, and 550 degree C under helium (He) flow. The addition of 10% Ni/SBA-15 enhanced the production of aromatic compounds, such as furans, furfurals, alkyl aromatics, and nitrogen aromatic compounds. These were the thermal degradation products of carbohydrates and proteins. Thermogravimetric analyses showed that the temperature range for the pyrolysis of Botryococcus braunii was 135-547 degree C, while that of the catalyzed pyrolysis was 135-532 degree C.

Keywords: Botryococcus braunii, pyrolysis, Ni/SBA-15

Topic: CHEMISTRY AND MATERIAL SCIENCES