LAUSR

The composition of evolved slow pyrolysis products under inert and oxidising atmospheres of reference tobacco from the University of Kentucky and its mixture with an SBA-15 mesoporous silica have been measured using a multishot pyrolyser attached directly to a gas chromatography/mass spectrometer. The results obtained show that under an inert atmosphere, the main decomposition rate occurs between 200 and 400 °C, with the evolution of nicotine and the generation of compound's characteristic of the decomposition of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and other constituents. The addition of SBA-15 to tobacco produces a reduction in most evolved gases at temperatures below 300 °C, markedly decreasing the formation of quinic acid, neophytadiene, nicotyrine and so on. In contrast, at temperatures above 300 °C, the opposite effect occurs and the generation of compounds is higher, increasing mainly the formation of acetaldehyde, chloromethane and aromatics. Under an oxidising atmosphere, at temperatures below 300 °C, almost all compounds are reduced when SBA-15 is added to tobacco, such as glycerol, neophytadiene and nicotine. The combustion processes occur between 400 and 500 °C with the generation of mainly CO 2 and H 2 O. At temperatures above 300 °C, there is also a significant reduction in the evolved gases like acid acetic, acetonitrile and some aromatics. The application of this type of material could be interesting for heat-not-burn tobaccos to further reduce their toxicity for the consumer.