Synthesis of Fe- and Ce- Incorporated Extracted Aluminium (EA) Catalysts to Produce Bio-Oil via Catalytic Co-Pyrolysis of Biomass and Plastic

Abstract

Pyrolysis is a promising route for converting biomass and plastic waste into valuable biofuels such as bio-oil. However, bio-oil derived from biomass typically has poor quality due to its high oxygenate compound content. Catalytic co-pyrolysis of biomass and plastics offers an effective strategy for enhancing bio-oil quality by promoting deoxygenation. In addition, the use of sludge-derived catalysts offers a sustainable approach to valorizing industrial waste while reducing reliance on commercial catalyst supports. This study investigates the effect of metal types in sludge-derived metal oxide catalysts on bio-oil production from the catalytic co-pyrolysis of cotton fabric and polypropylene wastes. Iron (Fe) and cerium (Ce) (10 wt.%) were incorporated into extracted aluminum (EA) using the wet impregnation method. Catalyst properties were characterized using BET and SEM, while the chemical component distribution of bio-oil was analyzed using GC-MS. The results show that 10Fe–EA produced a higher bio-oil yield (33.3 wt.%) than 10Ce–EA (27.2 wt.%). This performance is attributed to its higher surface area and pore volume. GC–MS analysis quantified that 10Fe–EA promoted the formation of hydrocarbons, predominantly cycloalkanes and alkenes, while suppressing oxygenated compounds. These findings demonstrate the potential of waste-derived Fe-supported extracted aluminum as an effective catalyst for upgrading bio-oil during catalytic co-pyrolysis, offering a sustainable pathway for the simultaneous valorization of industrial sludge and the production of renewable fuel.