Diatomite inspired silica aerogel deposited in cork cells for mineralization to promote carbon capture and increase the yield of high value-added products during pyrolysis

How to achieve a balance between energy conversion and CO2 emission in biomass materials is one of the urgent problems to be solved. Inspired by diatoms, a simple method was used to deposit silica aerogel mineralized layer in cork cells. The thermal decomposition behavior and products of four kinds of corks CS-P (cork of Quercus suber )、CV-P (cork of Quercus variabilis B1 )、CSS-P (cork of Quercus suber deposited with silica aerogels) and CSV-P (cork of Quercus variabilis B1 deposited with silica aerogels)were systematically studied, and the carbon capture of silica aerogel in cork and the production mechanism of high-value products during pyrolysis were deeply studied. Interestingly, this method has dual effects. In the pyrolysis process, the existence of silica aerogel significantly reduces the emissions of CO2 and aldehyde, while the output of aromatic hydrocarbons and other products with added value is significantly increased. This work provides a novel and effective method to convert and manage biological waste resources to achieve environmental sustainability and carbon neutrality.