Mechanism study on pyrolysis interaction between cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin based on photoionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PI-TOF-MS) analysis

•Biomass constituent interaction is studied via online intermediate product analysis.•Interaction affects product distribution rather than creating new reaction pathway.•Cellulose depolymerization provides H∙ and OH∙ for the primary pyrolysis reaction.•CO cracking of phenylpropane side chains promoting production of aliphatic chains.•Generation of molecular fragments encourages production of aromatic compounds.