Abstract: Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was used in attempt to illustrate the pyrolysis of bamboo and evolution of chars under the catalysis of phosphoric acid. FT-IR spectra indicate that phosphoric acid can significantly catalyze the pyrolysis of the chemical components, especially the pyrolysis of lignin, formation and condensation of aromatic rings, and formation of graphite-like micro-crystals in chars. In the case of phosphoric acid as catalyst,the course of bamboo carbonization can be divided into two stages. In the former stage (below 400℃), are mainly the thermal decomposition of the constiuents and formation of aromatic rings. In the latter stage (above 400℃) are the formation and condensation of aromatic rings, as well as formation of graphite-like micro-crystals. Thereby, FT-IR is a feasible and effective approach to investigate the course of pyrolysis of cellulosic biomass and evolution of micro-structure of the derived chars.

Key words: bamboo, phosphoric acid, pyrolysis, carbonization.