Sodium alginate conversion into char via pyrolysis at the onset temperature

Abstract Pyrolysis is the simplest method to convert bio-based materials into carbonaceous chars. In this study, Na alginate (an aquatic-derived substance isolated from brown algae) is thermally treated under very mild condition (onset temperature). The effectiveness of the conversion has been determined via physicochemical characterizations, showing the possibility of modifying the (bio)polymeric chemical structure just at the beginning of its thermal degradation, guaranteeing an overall energetic beneficial effect.