Recent progress on production technologies of food waste–based biochar and its fabrication method as electrode materials in energy storage application

Abstract

The abundance of food waste across the globe has called for the mitigation and reduction of these discarded wastes. Herein, the potential of biochar derived from food waste is unquestionable as it provides a sustainable way of utilizing the abundance of available biomass, as well as an effective way of preserving the ecosystem through the reduction of concerning environmental issues. This review focuses on the food waste–based biochar as advanced electrode materials in the energy storage devices. Efforts have been made to present and discuss the current exploration of the food waste utilization, along with the biochar production technologies through thermochemical conversion, including combustion, gasification, and pyrolysis method. Finding its limitation in literatures, discussion on the food waste–based biochar fabrication method as the electrode materials is elaborated, alongside the current food waste–based biochar that has been explored in the energy application thus far. Towards the end, the outlook and perspective on the further development of food waste–based biochar have been outlined.

Recent advances in food waste-derived nanoporous carbon for energy storage

“…These waste food products inherently feature a 3D carbon skeleton. Consequently, the carbonization process applied to them yields a substantial increase in micro and nanopores, a feature that significantly augments ion diffusion, enhances electrolyte accessibility, amplifies surface area, and ultimately elevates battery performance [ 109 , 110 , 162–166 ]. Carbon nanofibers is another material that displays favourable characteristics towards battery applications.…”

From Waste to Resource: Valorization of Lignocellulosic Agri-Food Residues through Engineered Hydrochar and Biochar for Environmental and Clean Energy Applications—A Comprehensive Review

“…In the present review, the attention is focused on lignocellulosic agri-food residues. These residues are great candidates or precursors as resources for use in applications such as green alternatives in environmental remediation, due to their high availability and their contribution to reducing the CFP [22]. These residues are also characterized by their chemical composition of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and traces of sulfur and chlorine [23].…”

“…These residues are also characterized by their chemical composition of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and traces of sulfur and chlorine [23]. Notwithstanding, different raw materials can be converted in different products depending on their elemental composition, so that, depending on the application, one or another type of waste is selected and one or another technique is used for its transformation [22]. In order to store these lignocellulosic agri-food residues and to be able to use them in some processes, it is essential to dry them, as some of these wastes are susceptible to microbial degradation due to moisture [24].…”

“…Pyrolysis is the process with the shortest duration and the smallest infrastructure footprint compared to the other conversions [8,39]. The process consists of decomposing agri-food residues rich in lignocellulosic components in an oven of inert atmosphere at temperatures above 400 • C [22]. Depending on the heating rate, temperature, pressure, and residence time, it can be classified as slow or fast pyrolysis [40].…”

The feasibility of utilizing microwave-assisted pyrolysis for Albizia branches biomass conversion into biofuel productions

“…Biochar and bio-oil, the products of the pyrolysis process, have versatile applications and are more easily stored and transported compared to pyrolytic gas (syngas). Biochar, a solid biofuel with high carbon content, is environmentally friendly and has numerous applications, such as in soil amendment, carbon sequestration, removal of contaminants, and electrodes for energy storage devices that have been extensively recognized (Ismail et al 2023). Bio-oil, a dark brown viscous organic liquid, has various benefits as an alternative to fossil fuels and in biochemical and pharmaceutical industries due to its chemical composition.…”