Synthesis, characterization, safety design, and application of NPs@BC for contaminated soil remediation and sustainable agriculture

Abstract

Biochar (BC) and nanoparticle-decorated biochar (NPs@BC) have emerged as potential high-performance function materials to facilitate simultaneous soil remediation and agricultural production. Therefore, there is an urgent need to incorporate environmental sustainability and human health targets into BC and NPs@BC selection and design processes. In contrast to extensive research on the preparation, modification, and environmental application of BC to soil ecosystems, reports about the adapted framework and material selection strategy of NPs@BC under environmental and human health considerations are still limited. Nevertheless, few studies systematically explored the impact of NPs@BC on soil ecosystems, including soil biota, geochemical properties, and nutrient cycles, which are critical for large-scale utilization as a multifunctional product. The main objective of this systematic literature review is to show the high degrees of contaminant removal for different heavy metals and organic pollutants, and to quantify the economic, environmental, and toxicological outcomes of NPs@BC in the context of sustainable agriculture. To address this need, in this review, we summarized synthesis techniques and characterization, and highlighted a linkage between the evolution of NPs@BC properties with the framework for sustainable NPs@BC selection and design based on environmental effects, hazards, and economic considerations. Then, research advances in contaminant remediation for heavy metals and organic pollutants of NPs@BC are minutely discussed. Eventually, NPs@BC positively acts on sustainable agriculture, which is declared. In the meantime, evaluating from the perspective of plant growth, soil characterizations as well as carbon and nitrogen cycle was conducted, which is critical for comprehending the NPs@BC environmental sustainability. Our work may develop a potential framework that can inform decision-making for the use of NPs@BC to facilitate promising environmental applications and prevent unintended consequences, and is expected to guide and boost the development of highly efficient NPs@BC for sustainable agriculture and environmental applications. Graphical Abstract

Recent progress in TiO2–biochar-based photocatalysts for water contaminants treatment: strategies to improve photocatalytic performance

“…82 The adsorption mechanism of biochar on pollutants varies at different pyrolysis temperatures, including multilayer reaction, pore lling, mass transfer, p-p stacking interaction, and partition. 83,84 At low temperatures, electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding are the main factors; at high temperatures, the pore lling and p-p stacking interaction dominates. 31 Specically, the oxygen-containing functional groups (hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbonyl, and ester groups) on the surface of biochar can rapidly adsorb pollutants and transfer them to photocatalysts through p-p stacking, electrostatic attraction, and hydrophobic interactions.…”

Corn Cobs’ Biochar as Green Host of Salt Hydrates for Enhancing the Water Sorption Kinetics in Thermochemical Heat Storage Systems

“…It consists of the thermal conversion of biomass in an oxygen-free or oxygen-poor conditions [ 21 , 22 ]. Due to its distinctive physicochemical characteristics, the biochar has a wide range of potential uses in a variety of fields, including energy production, soil conditioning, soil remediation, and catalysis [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. The pyrolysis temperature is the most important property of the resulting biochar [ 28 , 29 ].…”

Current Status and the Role of Biofilm Biofertilizer for Improving the Soil Health and Agronomic Efficiency of Maize on Marginal Soil

“…Bacillus sp. and biochar increased biofertilizer resistance to extreme conditions(Ajeng et al, 2023), and Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis boosted wheat growth and yield by 37% and 31%(Zahra et al, 2023). Micrococcus yunnanensis enhanced rice growth morphologically and biochemically(Majhi et al, 2024), and Rhizobium improved seed germination, plant length, and biomass(Saleem & Khan, 2023).…”