A comparative study on synthesis and characterization of biochars derived from lignocellulosic biomass for their candidacy in agronomy and energy applications

Abstract

Summary This study has dealt with the synthesis and characterization of biochars produced from three biomasses, viz. water hyacinth (whole plant and its components), yellow oleander, and sugarcane bagasse, and their comparative assessment for potential application in agronomy and energy production. The pyrolysis was carried out in a fixed batch reactor at 350°C and 550°C with a heating rate of 20°Cmin−1. Biochars were characterized for proximate and ultimate (elemental) analysis, and also using standard techniques (SEM, EDX, TGA, BET, XRD, and FTIR). Biochars produced at 550°C from all the feedstock had good properties (carbon content: 39.09‐80.74%, pH: 7.36‐10.42, calorific value: 16.98‐30.18 MJ kg−1, and ash content: 0.89%‐21.78%). Moreover, relatively low atomic ratios (H/C 0.25‐0.47 and O/C 0.15‐1.11) of all biochars indicated their potential as solid fuel. XRD results showed the presence of amorphous and crystalline structures, and minerals like sylivite, quartz, kalsilite, and tridymite in the biochar. Biochar produced from sugarcane bagasse at 550°C possessed the best properties: fixed carbon (77.42%), bulk density (0.13 kg/m3), brunauer–emmett–teller (BET) surface area (17.78 m2/g), pore size (12.86 nm), total pore volume (0.025 cm3/g), calorific value (30.18 MJ kg−1), ash content (1.16%), and moisture content (2.03%).

Metal Organic Frameworks Derived Sustainable Polyvinyl Alcohol/Starch Nanocomposite Films as Robust Materials for Packaging Applications

“…The measured surface area of a single-point BET was 200.4 m 2 /g and 246 m 2 /g for the ZIF-67 and pyrolyzed ZIF-67, respectively. The BET results also revealed that the potential of using MOFs above 500 °C enhanced the adsorption capacity of the films due to an increase in the surface area [ 48 ]. The Langmuir surface area was also enhanced by the pyrolysis of ZIF-67 because Langmuir surface area depends on the adsorption ability of the adsorbent.…”

Pyrolysis of lignocellulosic and algal biomasses in a fixed‐bed reactor: A comparative study on the composition and application potential of bioproducts

“…Biochar has diverse applications because of its unique properties, such as high carbon content, specific surface area, cation exchange capacity, nutrient retention capacity, and stable structure 76,77 . Based on these features, the biochar has been used as air, water, and soil decontamination, 78,79 additive in organic solid waste composting, 80 fuel alternatives, 81 catalyst, and support, 82,83 electrode, battery, and supercapacitor 84,85 …”

“…Biochar has diverse applications because of its unique properties, such as high carbon content, specific surface area, cation exchange capacity, nutrient retention capacity, and stable structure. 76,77 Based on these features, the biochar has been used as air, water, and soil decontamination, 78,79 additive in organic solid waste composting, 80 fuel alternatives, 81 catalyst, and support, 82,83 electrode, battery, and supercapacitor. 84,85 Investigating the functional groups on the biochar surface, measuring the surface area, and understanding the distribution of pore sizes are critical because many biochar applications rely on interactions occurring at the biochar surface.…”

How clonal differences and within-tree heterogeneity affect pore properties of hybrid aspen wood and biochar?

“…Further studies assessing how branches, roots, and other components of the trees affect key biochar characteristics would be beneficial from the point of view of utilizing the whole biomass of hybrid aspen trees. Previously, Muigai et al [40] showed how different components of various plants can have varying nano-scale pore properties. Furthermore, previously also wood density has been suggested to affect pore properties [14].…”