A microwave reactor (MWR) was designed to investigate microwave-induced pyrolysis of biomass. Condensation of tars on the quartz reactor and the pipelines was prevented by an electric heating device, and a temperature control function allowed determination of product characteristics at constant temperatures. Temperature had an important influence on microwave pyrolysis; the yields of gas products increased from 17.69 wt.% to 22.27 wt.% and the ratio of combustible gas to total gas products increased from 67.21 vol.% to 77.14 vol.% as the temperature increased from 400 degrees C to 600 degrees C. A large number of volatiles was released as temperature increased, resulting in an increase in the number of pores of the coke and a uniform pore structure was obtained. The specific surface area of coke increased from 0.89 m(2)/g (400 degrees C) to 9.81 m(2)/g (600 degrees C) and the pore volume increased from 0.006 cm(3)/g (400 degrees C) to 0.012 cm(3)/g (600 degrees C), but the average pore size decreased from 282.16 nm (400 degrees C) to 46.64 nm (600 degrees C). (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.