Catalytic pyrolysis of rice husk with nickel oxide nano particles: kinetic studies, pyrolytic products characterization and application in composite plates

In this work, rice husk was used as a feedstock that is subjected to catalytic pyrolysis by employing nickel oxide nanoparticles in an unsupported format synthesised in the laboratory and characterised by employing XRD and FESEM. Before pyrolysis, the thermal decomposition behaviour of rice husk was assessed by subjecting through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) performed at different heating rates. The activation energy required for catalytic degradation was 147.0 kJ/mol which is 17.9% less than thermal pyrolysis process (179.20 kJ/mol). The feedstock loaded with nano-catalyst in different proportions (0.1 and 0.2 g) yielded different products, namely solid char and condensable liquid and non-condensable gaseous constituents that were collected separately and characterised appropriately. Furthermore, the bio-oil and the biochar obtained during the catalytic pyrolysis were admixed separately in varying proportions (10% and 20% bio-oil, 5% and 10% of biochar) with areca nut fibre in epoxy resin. The composite thus obtained (FRO20) exhibited remarkable impact strength (absorbing tendency 1.1 J) that can be used for making vehicle bumpers as well as leaf springs which demand high toughness. Furthermore, the composite made with biochar as an additive (FRC5) displayed high tensile strength (2.59% higher than neat epoxy resin) which can be used in shafts, aerospace components, etc.