Study on the mechanism and reaction characteristics of red-mud-catalyzed pyrolysis of corn stover

•Iron oxide is the most critical source of catalytic activity in RM catalysts.•Iron oxide contributes both as an oxygen carrier and as a catalyst in the pyrolysis process.•RM can increase H2 production by 79% at 40 wt% addition ratio.•The different compositions in the form of solid solution and the large specific surface area greatly enhance the catalytic capacity of RM.