Thermal Degradation Kinetics and Physicochemical Characterization of Ginkgo biloba Leaf via Multimodal Analytical Techniques

This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the thermal degradation behavior and kinetics of Ginkgo biloba leaf biomass using a combined analytical approach of X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and TG-FTIR. XRD identified a predominantly amorphous structure aligned with cellulose I. TGA under a nitrogen atmosphere revealed a broad multi-stage process with two major mass loss regions, with the primary mass loss occurring between 220–550°C due to cellulose pyrolysis. The application of Flynn-Wall-Ozawa isoconversional methodology and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose kinetic models yielded activation energy values of 153.70 kJ/mol and 146.02 kJ/mol, respectively. DSC analysis identified corresponding endothermic transitions for moisture loss and structural breakdown. Evolved gas analysis via TG-FTIR detected major volatile products—water, carbon dioxide, methane, and ammonia. These findings offer fundamental kinetic data and mechanistic insights crucial for optimizing the utilization of Ginkgo biloba leaf in bioenergy conversion processes.