Understanding cellulose pyrolysis via ab initio deep learning potential field.

Journal: Bioresource technology
Published Date:

Abstract

Comprehensive and dynamic studies of cellulose pyrolysis reaction mechanisms are crucial in designing experiments and processes with enhanced safety, efficiency, and sustainability. The details of the pyrolysis mechanism are not readily available from experiments but can be better described via molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. However, the large size of cellulose molecules challenges accurate ab initio MD simulations, while existing reactive force field parameters lack precision. In this work, precise ab initio deep learning potentials field (DPLF) are developed and applied in MD simulations to facilitate the study of cellulose pyrolysis mechanisms. The formation mechanism and production rate of both valuable and greenhouse products from cellulose at temperatures larger than 1073 K are comprehensively described. This study underscores the critical role of advanced simulation techniques, particularly DLPF, in achieving efficient and accurate understanding of cellulose pyrolysis mechanisms, thus promoting wider industrial applications.

Authors

  • Yuqin Xiao
    Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, 199 Taikang East Road, Ningbo 315100, China; Center for Intelligent and Biomimetic Systems, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenzhen 518055, China.
  • Yuxin Yan
    Ningbo Huamei Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
  • Hainam Do
    Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, 199 Taikang East Road, Ningbo 315100, China; Key Laboratory for Carbonaceous Wastes Processing and Process Intensification Research of Zhejiang Province, University of Nottingham, Ningbo China, Ningbo 315100, China.
  • Richard Rankin
    School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, 199 Taikang East Road, Ningbo 315100, China.
  • Haitao Zhao
    Automation Department, School of Information Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, PR China; College of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, PR China.
  • Ping Qian
    National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology Hubei Hongshan Laboratory Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China.
  • Keke Song
    School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China.
  • Tao Wu
    Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830011, China.
  • Cheng Heng Pang
    Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, 199 Taikang East Road, Ningbo 315100, China; Key Laboratory for Carbonaceous Wastes Processing and Process Intensification Research of Zhejiang Province, University of Nottingham, Ningbo China, Ningbo 315100, China; Municipal Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Conversion Technologies, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo 315100, China. Electronic address: Chengheng.Pang@nottingham.edu.cn.