Emma Jakab

Bio: Emma Jakab is an academic researcher from Hungarian Academy of Sciences. The author has contributed to research in topics: Thermal decomposition & Pyrolysis. The author has an hindex of 36, co-authored 123 publications receiving 5118 citations.

Cellulose Pyrolysis Kinetics: Revisited

Abstract: In the same thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) under identical conditions, samples of pure, ash-free cellulose (i.e., Avicel PH-105, Whatman CF-11, Millipore ash-free filter pulp, and Whatman #42) obtained from different manufacturers undergo pyrolysis at temperatures which differ by as much as 30 °C. Thus, the pyrolysis chemistry of a sample of pure cellulose is not governed by a universal rate law, as is the case with a pure hydrocarbon gas (for example). Nevertheless, the pyrolytic weight loss of all the samples studied in this work is well represented by a high activation energy (228 kJ/mol), first-order rate law at both low and high heating rates. These results do not corroborate the recent findings of Milosavljevic and Suuberg (Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 1995, 34, 1081−1091). For a particular cellulose sample (for example, Avicel PH-105), variations in the preexponential constant determined at different heating rates reflect uncontrolled, systematic errors in the dynamic sample temperature measurement (ther...

Hydrogenation of carbon nanotubes and graphite in liquid ammonia

Abstract: We have prepared hydrogenated single-wall and multiwall carbon nanotubes, as well as graphite, via a dissolved metal reduction method in liquid ammonia. The hydrogenated derivatives are thermally stable up to 400 °C. Above 400 °C, a characteristic decomposition takes place accompanied with the simultaneous formations of hydrogen and a small amount of methane. Transmission electron micrographs show corrugation and disorder of the nanotube walls and the graphite layers due to hydrogenation. The average hydrogen contents determined from the yield of evolved hydrogen correspond to the compositions of C11H for both types of nanotubes and C5H for graphite. Hydrogenation occurred even on the inner tubes of multiwall nanotubes as shown by the chemical composition and the overall corrugation. The thermal stability and structural results suggest the formation of C−H bonds in nanotubes and graphite.

Is the Broido-Shafizadeh model for cellulose pyrolysis true?

Abstract: The widely accepted Broido-Shafizadeh model describes cellulose pyrolysis kinetics in terms of two parallel (competing) reactions preceded by an initiation step. In spite of the fact that many recent experimental results seem to contradict the predictions of the model, its validity has not been seriously questioned. In this paper we report thermogravimetric analyses of Avicel cellulose involving prolonged thermal pretreatments of small samples (0.5-3 mg). The weight loss curves were simulated by modern numerical techniques using the Broido-Shafizadeh and other related models. Results were not consistent with the presence of an initiation reaction, but they did strongly confirm the role of parallel reactions in the decomposition chemistry. A subsequent, high-temperature (370{degrees}C), pyrolytic degradation of solid intermediates formed below 300{degrees}C was also detected. In the absence of a prolonged thermal pretreatment, only one of the two parallel reactions can be observed. This reaction is first order, irreversible, and manifests a high activation energy (238 kJ/mol). The kinetic parameters of this reaction are not influenced by the large quantity of solid intermediates formed during prolonged, low-temperature thermal pretreatments, indicating that chemical processes are much more significant than the physical structure of the sample during pyrolysis.

Synthesis of transportation fuels from biomass: chemistry, catalysts, and engineering.

Abstract: 1.0. Introduction 4044 2.0. Biomass Chemistry and Growth Rates 4047 2.1. Lignocellulose and Starch-Based Plants 4047 2.2. Triglyceride-Producing Plants 4049 2.3. Algae 4050 2.4. Terpenes and Rubber-Producing Plants 4052 3.0. Biomass Gasification 4052 3.1. Gasification Chemistry 4052 3.2. Gasification Reactors 4054 3.3. Supercritical Gasification 4054 3.4. Solar Gasification 4055 3.5. Gas Conditioning 4055 4.0. Syn-Gas Utilization 4056 4.1. Hydrogen Production by Water−Gas Shift Reaction 4056

Pyrolysis of Wood/Biomass for Bio-oil: A Critical Review

Abstract: Fast pyrolysis utilizes biomass to produce a product that is used both as an energy source and a feedstock for chemical production. Considerable efforts have been made to convert wood biomass to liquid fuels and chemicals since the oil crisis in mid-1970s. This review focuses on the recent developments in the wood pyrolysis and reports the characteristics of the resulting bio-oils, which are the main products of fast wood pyrolysis. Virtually any form of biomass can be considered for fast pyrolysis. Most work has been performed on wood, because of its consistency and comparability between tests. However, nearly 100 types of biomass have been tested, ranging from agricultural wastes such as straw, olive pits, and nut shells to energy crops such as miscanthus and sorghum. Forestry wastes such as bark and thinnings and other solid wastes, including sewage sludge and leather wastes, have also been studied. In this review, the main (although not exclusive) emphasis has been given to wood. The literature on woo...

Chemistry of Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract: Department of Materials Science, University of Patras, 26504 Rio Patras, Greece, Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vass. Constantinou Avenue, 116 35 Athens, Greece, Institut de Biologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire, UPR9021 CNRS, Immunologie et Chimie Therapeutiques, 67084 Strasbourg, France, and Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Universita di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy

Photonic crystals

Abstract: The term photonic crystals appears because of the analogy between electron waves in crystals and the light waves in artificial periodic dielectric structures. During the recent years the investigation of one-, two-and three-dimensional periodic structures has attracted a widespread attention of the world optics community because of great potentiality of such structures in advanced applied optical fields. The interest in periodic structures has been stimulated by the fast development of semiconductor technology that now allows the fabrication of artificial structures, whose period is comparable with the wavelength of light in the visible and infrared ranges.