Effects of cellulose-lignin interaction on the evolution of biomass pyrolysis bio-oil heavy components

• Heavy oil compounds evolution of cellulose and lignin was investigated with the use of FT-ICR-MS. • Cellulose-lignin interaction significantly enhanced removal of oxygen in heavy oil components. • Three reaction pathways are proposed to explain the evolution of heavy species under the influence of interaction. • Evolution route of heavy oil components with temperature and secondary reaction was clarified. Cellulose, lignin and their mixture were pyrolyzed at 500–700 °C for 60 s and 90 s to investigate the influence of cellulose-lignin interaction on the evolution of biomass pyrolysis bio-oil heavy components with temperature and reaction time. Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance-mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used to characterize the composition and main functional groups of the heavy oil. Strong interaction among cellulose and lignin was revealed, which promoted the generation of lipids and unsaturated hydrocarbons while inhibiting the generation of the condensed aromatic hydrocarbons, phenolic species and sugars in the heavy components. With the use of van Krevelen diagrams, three reaction pathways are proposed to explain the evolution of heavy species under the influence of interaction, which is strongly affected by the removal of oxygen containing functional groups.