Different morphology SnS nanomaterials: Study of thermal decomposition and its catalytic properties in cellulose pyrolysis

Abstract The catalytic action of three as synthesized SnS nanomaterials viz nanoparticles, nanowhiskers and nanoribbons was studied on cellulose pyrolysis. The SnS in three nanoforms were synthesized by chemical solution method. Prior to use as catalyst in cellulose pyrolysis, all the three as synthesized SnS nanomaterials were characterized for stoichiometry, crystal structure and morphology. Before the study as catalyst in cellulose pyrolysis, all the three SnS nanomaterials were characterized by thermal analysis. The thermal analysis of SnS nanoparticles, nanowhiskers and nanoribbons including their catalytic properties on cellulose pyrolysis was studied employing thermogravimetric (TG), differential thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis techniques. The three SnS nanomaterials thermal analysis was done in inert nitrogen atmosphere in the temperature range of ambient to 950 °C. All the thermocurves were recorded for four heating rates of 2, 5, 10 and 20 °C min-1. The TG curves showed three steps thermal decomposition for all the samples and for all heating rates. The kinetic parameters of three nanomaterials were evaluated from the thermocurves employing Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) method. The catalytic action of three as synthesized SnS nanomaterials on pure microcrystalline cellulose pyrolysis was done for two concentrations of 2 and 10 %. The analysis of thermocurves and kinetic parameters evaluated using KAS method showed that SnS nanoribbons (2 and 10 %) work as best catalyst compared with SnS nanoparticles and nanowhiskers for cellulose pyrolysis. All the obtained results are deliberated in details. © Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, Hungary 2015.