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The preparation of biocarbons from cellulose fibres utilised in the production of baby nappy mats (sourced from Feniks Recycling company, Poland) for the removal of methylene blue and rhodamine B dyes has been documented. A Brunauer, Emmett and Teller analysis revealed a surface area within the range of 384 to 450 m2/g. The objective of this study was to investigate the removal efficiency of dyes from aqueous solutions by biocarbons, with a particular focus on the influence of various parameters, including pH, dye concentration, adsorbent dosage, shaking speed, contact time, and temperature. The maximum adsorption capacity of the dyes onto the biocarbons was found to be 85 mg/g for methylene blue and 48 mg/g for rhodamine B, respectively. The Langmuir equation proved to be the most suitable for interpreting the sorption of organic dyes. The adsorption process was found to exhibit a chemisorption mechanism, effectively mirroring the pseudo-second-order kinetics. Furthermore, the adsorption of dyes was observed to be endothermic (the enthalpy change was positive, 9.1–62.6 kJ/mol) and spontaneous under the tested operating conditions. The findings of this study indicate that biocarbons represent a cost-effective option for the removal of methylene blue and rhodamine B. The adsorption method was observed to be an effective and straightforward approach for the removal of these dyes. The results of the Boehm titration analysis and zero charge point value indicated that the synthesised biomaterials exhibited a slightly basic surface character. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a rising interest in the iron and steel industry in replacing fossil-based carbon carriers in their processes because they are the main origin of the anthropogenic carbon emissions within the industry. The use of bio-based carbon carriers could be one solution to partly tackle this challenge. Conventionally, biocarbon is produced by pyrolysis with fixed heating rate, pyrolysis temperature, and retention time. Although the mechanisms behind the formation of biocarbon and the decomposition temperatures of the main compounds of biomass-based materials are known, this knowledge is rarely being utilized in the design of commercial pyrolysis reactors, even though the pyrolysis mechanism-based approach increases the biocarbon yield. In this study, the mechanistic pathway of carbonization of lignocellulosic biomass is taken into account to produce biocarbon with higher yield and quality than conventional pyrolysis with the same process time. Results show that when the process time is the same in both methods, segmented pyrolysis increases biocarbon yield up to 5.4% within a pyrolysis temperature range from 300 °C to 900 °C. Also, fixed carbon yield increased 1.5% in this temperature area. When using segmented pyrolysis, the most suitable pyrolysis temperature is 700 °C based on the characteristics of the produced biocarbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pedalium murex wastes comprising leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds were used as precursors to synthesize biocarbon. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller-specific surface area of 305 m2 g−1 with micro- and mesopores was identified using gas sorption analysis. The three-electrode configuration of a supercapacitor was used to identify the cathodic (−1.2 V) and anodic (0.9 V) limits of the carbon material vs Ag/AgCl(aq.) reference in 1.0 M Na2SO4(aq.). The reversible hydrogen sorption in micropores may be responsible for the extended cathodic potential limit of carbon electrodes. Symmetrical supercapacitors with three commercial-level mass-loaded electrodes were used to evaluate the electrochemical performance. EIS measurements were carried out with three different numbers of frequencies per decade to see their influence on the Warburg diffusion resistance and the relaxation time constant of the supercapacitor. The presence of significant quantities of microspores enables the aqueous supercapacitor with 1.0 M Na2SO4(aq.) to operate with a high cell potential of 1.6 V. The single-electrode-specific capacitances of 112 F g−1, 90 F g−1, and 54 F g−1 at 1.6 V were estimated for the supercapacitors with 10 mg cm−2, 20 mg cm−2, and 30 mg cm−2 areal active material mass loading, respectively, at 0.1 A g−1. Excellent coulombic efficiency of 99% and energy efficiency of 78% were obtained for 10 mg cm−2 mass loading. The specific energy and specific power of 9.7 Wh kg−1 and 2930 W kg−1 were estimated for the fabricated device. The stability of the supercapacitor was analyzed by conducting uninterrupted GCPL cycling up to 50,000 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the production of bioadsorbents coming from seven different kinds of organic waste, produced in huge quantities in households, in a two-stage process. In order to determine the influence of the process parameters of carbonization (I stage) and activation with potassium hydroxide solution (II stage), the following analysis of the physicochemical properties of each sample at each stage processing was performed: base elemental composition, structure properties, surface morphology, thermal stability, crystallinity, and transmittance spectra characteristic bands. There was a lack of research on samples after each stage of waste processing in the literature. Addressing this allowed us to evaluate the transformative potential of each kind of organic waste included in the research and select the best waste for the production of bioadsorbents commonly used in environmental protection. Moreover, the results were compared with the ones in the literature. The utilization of particular kinds of organic waste seems to be especially important taking into account the strategy of waste management and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a green method of producing copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) using aqueous extracts from Sargassum spp. as reducing, stabilizing, and capping agents. The CuNPs created using this algae‐based method are not hazardous, they are eco‐friendly, and less toxic than their chemically synthesized counterparts. The XRD characterization of the CuNPs revealed the presence of Cu and CuO, with a crystallite size ranging from 13 to 17 nm. Following this, the CuNPs were supported onto a carbon substrate, also derived from Sargassum spp. (biochar CSKPH). The CuNPs in biochar (CuNPs‐CSKPH) did not appear in the XRD diffractograms, but the SEM‐EDS results showed that they accounted for 36 % of the copper weight. The voltamperometric study of CuNps‐CSKPH in acid media validated the presence of Cu and the amount was determined to be 2.58 μg. The catalytic activity of CuNPs‐CSKPH was analyzed for the electrochemical reduction of CO2. The use of Sargassum spp. has great potential to tackle two environmental problems simultaneously, by using it as raw material for the synthesis of activated biochar as support, as well as the synthesis of CuNPs, and secondly, by using it as a sustainable material for the electrochemical conversion of CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a green method of producing copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) using aqueous extracts from Sargassum spp. as reducing, stabilizing, and capping agents. The CuNPs created using this algae‐based method are not hazardous, they are eco‐friendly, and less toxic than their chemically synthesized counterparts. The XRD characterization of the CuNPs revealed the presence of Cu and CuO, with a crystallite size ranging from 13 to 17 nm. Following this, the CuNPs were supported onto a carbon substrate, also derived from Sargassum spp. (biochar CSKPH). The CuNPs in biochar (CuNPs‐CSKPH) did not appear in the XRD diffractograms, but the SEM‐EDS results showed that they accounted for 36 % of the copper weight. The voltamperometric study of CuNps‐CSKPH in acid media validated the presence of Cu and the amount was determined to be 2.58 μg. The catalytic activity of CuNPs‐CSKPH was analyzed for the electrochemical reduction of CO2. The use of Sargassum spp. has great potential to tackle two environmental problems simultaneously, by using it as raw material for the synthesis of activated biochar as support, as well as the synthesis of CuNPs, and secondly, by using it as a sustainable material for the electrochemical conversion of CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining sector has been the central attention of the business and public policy sustainable development scheme for several years. Reclamation territories are with potential carbon sequestration capacity in degraded mining areas and can be an impeccable option for achieving sustainable development goal-13. This paper made an investigation about the presence of heavy metals in reclaimed area possibilities to improve reclaimed soils with biochar with idea to enhance ecosystem carbon pool and atmospheric CO2 sequestration capacity to offset CO2 emission and soil organic carbon losses. The results show that the carbon content in biochar is 46.6 % and would be classified in class 2 according to the International Biochar Initiative. H/C and O/C atomic ratios could be useful for restoration of degraded poor mine soils through enhanced carbon sequestration. O/C ratio is 0.085 mol mol–1 and half-life of biochar is 2795.65 years, which confirm the biochar stability. For each kilogram of biochar incorporated into the soil, 144 g of carbon were sequestrated 52,8 % CO2 emission reduction. Hence, the biochar developed in this study can be used in carbon-deficient soils with the added benefit of long-term carbon storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of processed biomass, derived from agricultural crop residues, as a fuel is becoming increasingly important in the energy sector, which additionally allows for the management of excess waste that is a burden on the environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the torrefaction process conditions in a carbon dioxide atmosphere on the chemical structure of biocarbon and the energy parameters of the produced product, which can be a solid biofuel. The biomass chosen for the experimental work was flax shive. Determinations of the heat of combustion of the produced biocarbon samples were carried out using a KL-10 calorimeter, and identification of the molecular structure of the product and the starting biomass was carried out using infrared spectrometry. It was confirmed that increasing the temperature of biomass torrefaction increases the heat of combustion of the product, with this parameter obtaining the most favourable value for biocarbon obtained during torrefaction at 320°C and for 20 to 30 minutes. The heat of combustion of the biocarbon produced during torrefaction at 320°C and for 30 minutes was 25.92 MJ/kg, with a feedstock mass loss of 41%. Such conditions lead to a significant conversion of the chemical structure of the biomass, with no complete destruction of organic structures.

La combinación de fertilización química y biocarbón en la agricultura es esencial, la fertilización química aporta nutrientes inmediatos, mientras que el biocarbón, como enmienda al suelo, mejora la retención de nutrientes y la salud de las plantas. Los resultados pueden impulsar la eficiencia agrícola y la sostenibilidad, beneficiando a los agricultores como a la producción de maíz a nivel mundial. La investigación se desarrolló con el propósito de evaluar el efecto combinado de fertilización química y biocarbón en crecimiento y desarrollo del cultivo de maíz, para lo cual se utilizó un diseño cuadrado latino simple. Los tratamientos fueron: testigo absoluto, 10 t/ha biocarbón, 20 t/ha biocarbón, 10 t/ha biocarbón + 4,375 t/ha urea, 20 t/ha biocarbón + 4,375 urea donde se manipularon los fertilizantes, se utilizó la prueba estadística Duncan con nivel de significancia (p

Management of catering waste, including coffee grounds, is becoming an important economic issue. Coffee grounds contain both organic compounds and mineral compounds, including macronutrients and micronutrients. The purpose of the study was to determine the fertilizer value of composts obtained using coffee grounds. The compost was prepared from vegetable raw material and coffee grounds with the addition of biocarbon or effluent obtained during yeast production. The experiment included 4 treatments: M – control - maize straw; M+CG – maize straw + coffee grounds; M+CG+BC – maize straw + coffee grounds + willow biochar; M+CG+E – maize straw + coffee grounds + yeast effluent. The amount of waste materials introduced into the composted maize biomass was limited not only due to their physical parameters, but also because of the humidity of the feedstock. The ratios of feedstocks used in individual treatments by weight of the dry matter were: M+CG – 1:0.89; M+CG+BC – 1:0.89:0.1; M+CG+E – 1:0.89:0.07. After mixing the materials, moisture of the mixture was equilibrated to 60% by weight. Aeration of the biomass was performed in cycles, 6 times a day; the air was flowing through the bioreactor in the amount of 15 dm³ min-1 for 60 min; the biomass was manually shifted every 10 days. The content of macronutrients and trace elements was determined in the product with regard to the admissible values for organic fertilizers. Composts with a very high proportion of coffee grounds meet the criteria regarding the minimum NPK and organic matter content in the fertilizer aspect. Coffee grounds are characterized by a low content of heavy metals, which in practice can cause their dilution in biological processing products. Utilization of the effluent from a yeast factory for irrigation of composted biomass is not possible on an industrial scale. A small addition of this waste leads to significant salinity of the compost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, an eco-saving and green anode structure (CRC) of MnO/Mn 3 O 4 nanoparticles (NPs) anchored on biocarbon substrates derived from cassava residues (CRs) was designed and fabricated successfully by an in-situ method from MnCl 2 and CRs. The amount of MnO/Mn 3 O 4 NPs in the CRC can be effectively modulated by altering the mass ratio of MnCl 2 to CRs. In Li-ion batteries, CRC anodes exhibit outstanding electrochemical performances such as high Coulombic efficiency, high capacity, excellent rate capacity, and stable cycling. The high reversible capacity of 698 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 can be achieved even after 100 cycles. This could be accredited to the special structure of MnO/Mn 3 O 4 NPs and biocarbon substrates. First, CR-derived biocarbon favors the alleviation of volume change and prevents the aggregation of MnO/Mn 3 O 4 NPs during cycling. Then, an appropriate amount of MnO/Mn 3 O 4 NPs formed on the surface and empty cages of biocarbon generate various free contacting channels between the electrolyte and active materials. Finally, MnO/Mn 3 O 4 NPs intensify the electrochemical activity of biocarbon, leading to an increase in Li-storage capacities. Therefore, the facile in-situ method in this work is quite promising to produce cost-effective and eco-friendly anodes for Li-ion batteries utilizing recycled CRs and simple chemicals. [Display omitted] • MnO/Mn 3 O 4 nanoparticles anchored on biocarbon substrates (CRCs) are prepared by a simple process. • CRCs possess large specific surface areas and porous structures. • CRC anode with ratio of MnCl 2 /cassava residues of 3 exhibits outstanding electrochemical properties. • CRC_3 anode delivers a capacity of 698 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles. • The excellent electrochemical efficiency results from the special properties of CRCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of processed biomass, derived from agricultural crop residues, as a fuel is becoming increasingly important in the energy sector, which additionally allows for the management of excess waste that is a burden on the environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the torrefaction process conditions in a carbon dioxide atmosphere on the chemical structure of biocarbon and the energy parameters of the produced product, which can be a solid biofuel. The biomass chosen for the experimental work was flax shive. Determinations of the heat of combustion of the produced biocarbon samples were carried out using a KL-10 calorimeter, and identification of the molecular structure of the product and the starting biomass was carried out using infrared spectrometry. It was confirmed that increasing the temperature of biomass torrefaction increases the heat of combustion of the product, with this parameter obtaining the most favourable value for biocarbon obtained during torrefaction at 320°C and for 20 to 30 minutes. The heat of combustion of the biocarbon produced during torrefaction at 320°C and for 30 minutes was 25.92 MJ/kg, with a feedstock mass loss of 41%. Such conditions lead to a significant conversion of the chemical structure of the biomass, with no complete destruction of organic structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formaldehyde is a common indoor air pollutant with hazardous effects on human health. This study investigated the efficiency of biocarbon (BC) functionalized with variable contents of MnO2 for formaldehyde removal in ambient conditions via integrated adsorption-photocatalytic degradation technology. The sample with the highest formaldehyde removal potential was used to prepare a functional coating made of acrylic binder mixed with 20 wt% of the particles and applied on beech (Fagus sylvatica L) substrate. SEM images showed that MnO2 was deposited around and inside the pores of the BC. EDX spectra indicated the presence of Mn peaks and increased content of oxygen in the doped BC compared to pure BC, which indicated the successful formation of MnO2. Raman spectra revealed that the disorder in the BC's structure increased with increasing MnO2 loadings. FTIR spectra of BC–MnO2 samples displayed additional peaks compared to the BC spectrum, which were attributed to MnO vibrations. Moreover, the deposition of increased MnO2 loadings decreased the porosity of the BC due to pores blockage. The BC sample containing 8 % Mn exhibited the highest formaldehyde removal efficiency in 8 h, which was 91 %. A synergetic effect between BC and MnO2 was observed. The formaldehyde removal efficiency and capacity of the coating reached 43 % and 6.1 mg/m2, respectively, suggesting that the developed coating can be potentially used to improve air quality in the built environment.

Abstract This study presents a green method of producing copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) using aqueous extracts from Sargassum spp. as reducing, stabilizing, and capping agents. The CuNPs created using this algae‐based method are not hazardous, they are eco‐friendly, and less toxic than their chemically synthesized counterparts. The XRD characterization of the CuNPs revealed the presence of Cu and CuO, with a crystallite size ranging from 13 to 17 nm. Following this, the CuNPs were supported onto a carbon substrate, also derived from Sargassum spp. (biochar CSKPH). The CuNPs in biochar (CuNPs‐CSKPH) did not appear in the XRD diffractograms, but the SEM‐EDS results showed that they accounted for 36 % of the copper weight. The voltamperometric study of CuNps‐CSKPH in acid media validated the presence of Cu and the amount was determined to be 2.58 μg. The catalytic activity of CuNPs‐CSKPH was analyzed for the electrochemical reduction of CO2. The use of Sargassum spp. has great potential to tackle two environmental problems simultaneously, by using it as raw material for the synthesis of activated biochar as support, as well as the synthesis of CuNPs, and secondly, by using it as a sustainable material for the electrochemical conversion of CO2.

In this study, we investigated the impact on surface topography and micro-mechanical properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) thin films when loaded with hardwood-derived biocarbon particles (BCP). The PVA/BCP composites were prepared with the conventional film casting method, after varying BCP concentrations of 6, 8, 10, 12, and 20 wt% were added to the PVA solution. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) investigations and nanoindentation tests were performed. The average roughness of the thin films increased with the increase in BCP content. The alternation between dark and light patterns observed in the AFM images showed an irregular surface topography with alternating high peaks and deep valleys. The skewness and kurtosis parameters showed that the different dispersion degrees of the BCP within the PVA matrix influenced the composites' surface roughness. The micro-mechanical properties of the thin film composites depended on the BCP type and concentration. Films reinforced with red oak-derived BCP had higher hardness and Young's modulus compared to films reinforced with willow SV1 and yellow-poplar BCP, which was attributed to the high carbon content and low ash content of red oak BCP. We argue that these results may be extrapolated to other types of BCP-reinforced thin films and can significantly contribute to enabling more efficient methods and protocols for reinforcing polymers with hardwood biocarbon.

The preparation of biocarbons from cellulose fibres utilised in the production of baby nappy mats (sourced from Feniks Recycling company, Poland) for the removal of methylene blue and rhodamine B dyes has been documented. A Brunauer, Emmett and Teller analysis revealed a surface area within the range of 384 to 450 m2/g. The objective of this study was to investigate the removal efficiency of dyes from aqueous solutions by biocarbons, with a particular focus on the influence of various parameters, including pH, dye concentration, adsorbent dosage, shaking speed, contact time, and temperature. The maximum adsorption capacity of the dyes onto the biocarbons was found to be 85 mg/g for methylene blue and 48 mg/g for rhodamine B, respectively. The Langmuir equation proved to be the most suitable for interpreting the sorption of organic dyes. The adsorption process was found to exhibit a chemisorption mechanism, effectively mirroring the pseudo-second-order kinetics. Furthermore, the adsorption of dyes was observed to be endothermic (the enthalpy change was positive, 9.1–62.6 kJ/mol) and spontaneous under the tested operating conditions. The findings of this study indicate that biocarbons represent a cost-effective option for the removal of methylene blue and rhodamine B. The adsorption method was observed to be an effective and straightforward approach for the removal of these dyes. The results of the Boehm titration analysis and zero charge point value indicated that the synthesised biomaterials exhibited a slightly basic surface character.

There has been a rising interest in the iron and steel industry in replacing fossil-based carbon carriers in their processes because they are the main origin of the anthropogenic carbon emissions within the industry. The use of bio-based carbon carriers could be one solution to partly tackle this challenge. Conventionally, biocarbon is produced by pyrolysis with fixed heating rate, pyrolysis temperature, and retention time. Although the mechanisms behind the formation of biocarbon and the decomposition temperatures of the main compounds of biomass-based materials are known, this knowledge is rarely being utilized in the design of commercial pyrolysis reactors, even though the pyrolysis mechanism-based approach increases the biocarbon yield. In this study, the mechanistic pathway of carbonization of lignocellulosic biomass is taken into account to produce biocarbon with higher yield and quality than conventional pyrolysis with the same process time. Results show that when the process time is the same in both methods, segmented pyrolysis increases biocarbon yield up to 5.4% within a pyrolysis temperature range from 300 °C to 900 °C. Also, fixed carbon yield increased 1.5% in this temperature area. When using segmented pyrolysis, the most suitable pyrolysis temperature is 700 °C based on the characteristics of the produced biocarbon.

Los derrames de petróleo son un problema ambiental importante en todo el mundo, derivados de la exploración, extracción, transporte o sabotaje de la infraestructura petrolera. Los avances científicos han llevado al desarrollo de diversas técnicas de remediación, incluida la fitorremediación y la aplicación de biocarbón. Este estudio involucró la recolección de muestras de suelo no contaminadas de las afueras del municipio de El Rodeo (México), la introducción de petróleo crudo y el tratamiento con la siembra de calabaza (Cucurbita pepo) o la aplicación de biocarbón. Luego de cuatro meses de tratamiento, se analizaron las características del suelo, incluyendo pH (7.50; 5.10), conductividad eléctrica (1.50 dSm-1; 0.20 dSm-1) y contenido de minerales: hierro (0.39 ppm; 0.59 ppm), nitrógeno (1.70 ppm; 1343 ppm), fósforo (0.35 ppm; 297 ppm), potasio (1.70 ppm; 1944 ppm), zinc (0.00 ppm; 23 ppm), calcio (0.00 ppm; 0.00 ppm) y plomo (36 ppm; 10 ppm). Si bien las técnicas utilizadas en el estudio no produjeron suelo fértil, redujeron efectivamente los niveles de hidrocarburos totales de petróleo (TPH) y permiten ser implementadas a escala industrial para reducir las concentraciones de hidrocarburos, mitigando así la toxicidad del ecosistema y mejorando el valor estético de las áreas afectadas. Estas medidas brindan beneficios económicos a las comunidades locales al apoyar el turismo y al mismo tiempo reducir la contaminación del agua y el suelo, así como los riesgos para la salud asociados con la exposición a los hidrocarburos.

Mishandling of waste plastics and biomasses is a major global concern. Every year, around 380 million tonnes of plastic are produced, with only 9% being recycled, leading to widespread pollution. Similarly, waste biomass generation from agricultural and forestry sectors accounts for 140 billion metric tonnes, in addition to 2.01 billion tonnes from municipal solid waste. This review paper addresses the gap regarding the integration of 3D printing, upcycling of recycled plastics, and the utilization of waste biomass in sustainable composites. 3D printed parts from recycled plastic have shown comparable mechanical properties compared to virgin materials, which have been further improved by the addition of waste biomass-derived fillers. The paper acknowledges that different printing parameters have substantial influence on the strength, ductility, crystallinity, and dimensional accuracy of printed parts. Therefore, optimizing these parameters becomes crucial for achieving improved mechanical performance. Moreover, incorporating reinforcing agents, stabilizers, chain extenders, compatibilizers, and surface modifiers in plastic recycling and 3D printing presents an excellent opportunity to enhance mechanical properties, thermal stability, adhesion, and dimensional stability. Additionally, the review identifies research gaps and proposes the integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence for enhanced process control and material development, further expanding the possibilities in this field.

The exploration of biocarbon using various bio-resources has received great importance as the awareness of environmentally benign energy storage technologies is increasing drastically. Additionally, the active mass loading of the electrode in the supercapacitors has recently gained great importance as it meets the industrial requirement as well as provides practical electrochemical performance. In this study, we synthesized activated biocarbon using Datura stramonium seeds through pyrolysis with chemical activation. To achieve real-world performance, biocarbon mass loadings at commercial levels (≥ 10 mg cm−2) were used in the fabrication of symmetrical supercapacitors. The single electrode-specific capacitance of 114 F g−1 was estimated at 1.2 V with excellent coulombic efficiency of 99% and energy efficiency of 82%. We obtained the maximum specific energy of 5.6 Wh kg−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and specific power of 980 Wkg−1. Excellent specific capacitance retention of 100% is noted at the end of 10,000 GCPL cycles at 1.0 A g−1, indicating that symmetrical supercapacitors with synthesized biocarbon possess high stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass-based solutions have been discussed as having the potential to replace fossil-based solutions in the iron and steel industry. To produce the biocarbon required in these processes, thermochemical treatment, pyrolysis, typically takes place. There are various ways to produce biocarbon, alongside other products, which are called pyrolysis oil and pyrolysis gas. These conversion methods can be divided into conventional and non-conventional methods. In this paper, those techniques and technologies to produce biocarbon are summarized and reviewed. Additionally, the effect of different process parameters and their effect on biocarbon yield and properties are summarized. The process parameters considered were final pyrolysis temperature, heating rate, reaction atmosphere, pressure, catalyst, use of binders, and particle size. Finally, the effect of different reactor configurations is discussed. Understanding the combination of these methods, technology parameters, and reactor configurations will help to produce biocarbon with the desired quality and highest yield possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) are a recalcitrant class of air pollutants, and the strongly oxidizing reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are promising to degrade them. In this study, a FeOCl-loaded biomass-derived activated carbon (BAC) has been used as an adsorbent for accumulating CVOCs and catalyst for activating H 2 O 2 to construct a wet scrubber for the removal of airborne CVOCs. In addition to well-developed micropores, the BAC has macropores mimicking those of biostructures, which allows CVOCs to diffuse easily to its adsorption sites and catalytic sites. Probe experiments have revealed HO• to be the dominant ROS in the FeOCl/BAC + H 2 O 2 system. The wet scrubber performs well at pH 3 and H 2 O 2 concentrations as low as a few mM. It is capable of removing over 90% of dichloroethane, trichloroethylene, dichloromethane and chlorobenzene from air. By applying pulsed dosing or continuous dosing to replenish H 2 O 2 to maintain its appropriate concentration, the system achieves good long-term efficiency. A dichloroethane degradation pathway is proposed based on the analysis of intermediates. This work may provide inspiration for the design of catalyst exploiting the inherent structure of biomass for catalytic wet oxidation of CVOCs or other contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was carried out to determine the exergy cost of biochar production based on oil palm kernel shell by slow pyrolysis in an experimental and a pilot furnace. Initially, mass, energy and exergy flows were evaluated by applying the Specific Exergy Costing (SPECO) scaling methodology, based on the resource-product concept. The energy and exergy efficiencies of the equipment were determined and the exergy cost was calculated. The exergy cost of 1 kg of biochar is 38990 $-kJ/kJ for the experimental furnace and 206 $-kJ/kJ for the pilot furnace. In summary, the exergy cost of biochar can vary depending on the equipment, operating conditions and the location where it is produced. It is recommended to make use of the heat and energy contained in the gases to optimize the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pinewood sawdust was pyrolyzed to create a micro-nanocarbon. The adsorbent’s particle size was reduced during a ball milling procedure to improve the surface area and encourage porosity growth. The synergistic effects of micro-nano-adsorbent-reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites were investigated by analyzing the efficiency of the rheological process. The properties of the prepared composites also were examined using various characterization tests, including tensile and hardness tests, crystallinity tests, elemental composition, and plasticity behavior tests. Therefore, in-depth investigations and comparisons were also carried out to confirm the created composites’ efficacy compared to other outcomes.

This article describes the production of bioadsorbents coming from seven different kinds of organic waste, produced in huge quantities in households, in a two-stage process. In order to determine the influence of the process parameters of carbonization (I stage) and activation with potassium hydroxide solution (II stage), the following analysis of the physicochemical properties of each sample at each stage processing was performed: base elemental composition, structure properties, surface morphology, thermal stability, crystallinity, and transmittance spectra characteristic bands. There was a lack of research on samples after each stage of waste processing in the literature. Addressing this allowed us to evaluate the transformative potential of each kind of organic waste included in the research and select the best waste for the production of bioadsorbents commonly used in environmental protection. Moreover, the results were compared with the ones in the literature. The utilization of particular kinds of organic waste seems to be especially important taking into account the strategy of waste management and sustainable development.

Biocarbon (BC) represents a potential material for application in air remediation. This study investigated the efficiency of BC particles in the removal of formaldehyde. BC samples were prepared from Arundo donax (AD) and olive stone (OS) feedstocks at variable pyrolysis temperatures (from 300°C to 800°C). The BC particles were characterized using proximate, Fourier transform infrared, water contact angle, particle size, and physisorption analyses. The formaldehyde removal capacity was tested using an electrochemical formaldehyde sensor in a batch experiment. The physicochemical and structural properties depended on the pyrolysis temperature at which the BC was produced. The increase in pyrolysis temperature increased the BC’s pH, hydrophobicity, and porosity. All the samples achieved a formaldehyde removal capacity ranging between 26% and 64% for BC pyrolyzed at 300°C and 800°C, respectively. In BC pyrolyzed at temperatures under 500°C, the formaldehyde capture was governed by a partitioning mechanism through diffusion in the noncarbonized organic fraction. In comparison, formaldehyde capture was controlled by a physical adsorption mechanism through pore filling for BC pyrolyzed at 500°C or above. BC pyrolyzed at 800°C was more efficient for formaldehyde adsorption due to the well-developed microporous structure for both AD and OS. AD-derived BC prepared at 800 °C (AD-BC800) was selected for the re-usability test, using thermal regeneration to remove the adsorbed components. The regenerated sample maintained a comparable formaldehyde removal capacity up to four re-use cycles. Moreover, the comparison between non-activated and activated AD-BC800 revealed that physical activation significantly enhanced BC’s adsorptive ability.

Sustainable hybrid fillers including biocarbon (BioC) and recycled carbon fibers (rCF) are used to reinforce the polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). The PPS biocomposites were compared with the conventional talc filled counterparts. The PPS/BioC/rCF biocomposites have comparable specific mechanical properties and thermal stability to the PPS/talc/rCF composites. However, the former has higher content of sustainable fillers, which provides better energy saving and emission reduction properties. The biocomposites filled with BioC/rCF showed a similar degradation process as talc/rCF counterparts during the heat aging process. This study can help open high-end application options (e.g. Electric Vehicle (EV) parts) of PPS composites reinforced by sustainable carbon fillers.

Pinewood sawdust was pyrolyzed to create a micro-nanocarbon. The adsorbent’s particle size was reduced during a ball milling procedure to improve the surface area and encourage porosity growth. The synergistic effects of micro-nano-adsorbent-reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites were investigated by analyzing the efficiency of the rheological process. The properties of the prepared composites also were examined using various characterization tests, including tensile and hardness tests, crystallinity tests, elemental composition, and plasticity behavior tests. Therefore, in-depth investigations and comparisons were also carried out to confirm the created composites’ efficacy compared to other outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar (BC) is presented as an amendment based on biomass pyrolysis residue that promotes an increase in the amount of beneficial bacterial and mycorrhizal communities and the quantity of elemental nutrients for plant fertility; in addition, by its characteristics, it provides recalcitrant carbon, generates physicochemical changes, such as an increase in pH, increase in water retention in soil and cation exchange capacity. Most studies about BC focus on evaluating the results in physicochemical variables into soils, however, few studies show and explain reasons because BC increases beneficial bacterial and mycorrhizal communities to plant growth, for this reason is necessary to selectively analysis to define the mechanisms between BC and microorganisms. This review examines publications of the last 12 years of research on BC in different databases (ScienceDirect, Scopus, Springerlink, SciELO, Google Scholar), focusing on the years (2020-2022), to elucidate the underlying mechanisms that let the interaction between BC-soil microbial communities and its benefits as an agricultural amendment. An accepted hypothesis is the high porosity into BC that serves as a “microhabitat” since it allows ideal conditions of space, temperature, humidity, air, and food growing levels of rhizobacteria and mycorrhizal fungus involved in the solubilization of nutrients such as N, P and K increasing the exo-enzymatic activity of dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, urease between others improving soil fertility and plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the synthesis of activated biocarbon from wheat straw and the study of the structural parameters of this biocarbon. The synthesis occurs without a protective atmosphere, and a 5% aqueous solution of orthophosphoric acid is used as an activator during thermal activation. X-ray diffraction, small-angle X-ray scattering, and isothermic adsorption/desorption of nitrogen were used to study the synthesized activated biocarbon. It is found that the synthesized biocarbon is has an amorphous structure, as evidenced by the wide diffuse maxima on the radiographs, close in position to the reflexes of polycrystalline graphite. The analysis of the X-ray low-angle scattering spectra shows that this formation has a fractal structure, which consists of mass fractals with the size of fractal aggregates of 45–57 nm and 60–80 nm. It is shown that nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms are characterized by the presence of a hysteresis loop of Type H4. This corresponds to the porous structure, which is mainly determined by slit-like micropores in the presence of a certain number of mesopores of a small radius. The parameters of the porous structure are evaluated using various methods. It was found that the suggested synthesis method allows obtaining biocarbon with pores of a nanometer size of about 2 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural fiber-reinforced composites perform poorly when exposed to moisture. Biocarbon has been proven to improve the water-absorbing behavior of natural fiber composites. However, the interaction effect of the design parameters on the biocarbon-filled hemp fiber-reinforced bio-epoxy composites has not been studied. In this study, the effects of the design parameters (pyrolysis temperature, biocarbon particle size, and filler loading) on the water absorptivity and water diffusivity of hemp-reinforced biopolymer composites have been investigated. Biocarbon from the pyrolysis of hemp and switchgrass was produced at 450, 550, and 650 °C. Composite samples with 10 wt.%, 15 wt.%, and 20 wt.% of biocarbon fillers of sizes below 50, 75, and 100 microns were used. The hemp fiber in polymer composites showed a significant influence in its water uptake behavior with the value of water absorptivity 2.41 × 10−6 g/m2.s1/2. The incorporation of biocarbon fillers in the hemp biopolymer composites reduces the average water absorptivity by 44.17% and diffusivity by 42.02%. At the optimized conditions, the value of water absorptivity with hemp biocarbon and switchgrass biocarbon fillers was found to be 0.72 × 10−6 g/m2.s1/2 and 0.73 × 10−6 g/m2.s1/2, respectively. The biocarbon at 650 °C showed the least composite thickness swelling due to its higher porosity and lower surface area. Biocarbon-filled hemp composites showed higher flexural strength and energy at the break due to the enhanced mechanical interlocking between the filler particles and the matrix materials. Smaller filler particle size lowered the composite's water diffusivity, whereas the larger particle size of the biocarbon fillers in composites minimizes the water absorption. Additionally, higher filler loading results in weaker composite tensile energy at the break due to the filler agglomeration, reduced polymer-filler interactions, reduced polymer chain mobility, and inadequate dispersion of the filler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water treatment alternatives such as adsorption using agricultural residues are currently being studied to eliminate pollutants that cause eutrophication in water bodies, avoiding the alteration of aquatic ecosystems. In this work, two bio-adsorbents were prepared using cellulose extracted from corn stems, Zea mays, which were labeled as MC (quaternized cellulose modified with Cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride) and B 1:1 (biochar obtained by the impregnation of the biomass with an H2SO4 solution, 50% v/v, using a ratio of 1:1% weight of biomass to volume, followed by carbonization at 520 °C for 30 min with a heating rate of 10 °C/min). FTIR, TGA, DSC, and SEM-EDS were used to study the properties of the bio-adsorbents. The effect of temperature over nitrate and phosphate adsorption in the selective and binary system at 100 mg/L was tested at five temperatures: 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 °C, using a load of the pollutant of 100 mg/L, volume of 5 mL, and a rate of bio-adsorbent of 2 g/L at 200 rpm. Results showed a phosphate removal of 29.1% using the B 1:1 bio-adsorbent at 30 °C and 23.8% with the MC bio-adsorbent at 35 °C. In the case of nitrate, removal of 40% was determined with the B 1:1 bio-adsorbent at 25 °C, while removal of 38.5% was attained at 30 °C after using the MC bio-adsorbent. The equilibrium was reached at 420 min. Nitrate adsorption with the MC sample showed a good adjustment to the pseudo-second-order model. The pseudo-first-order model described the kinetics of phosphate removal with MC, while this model had a good fit with the B 1:1 sample for nitrate and phosphate. Freundlich's model also adjusted the adsorption equilibrium for both anions with acceptable accuracy. Moreover, the binary study indicated selectivity for the phosphate, suggesting the potential applications of the carbon-based bio-adsorbents for anionic ions remotion in aqueous media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon materials derived from marine waste have been drawing attention for supercapacitor applications. In this work, chitins from squid and prawn marine wastes were used as carbon precursors for further application as electrodes for energy storage devices. Chitins were obtained through a deproteinization method based on enzymatic hydrolysis as an alternative to chemical hydrolysis as commonly presented in the literature. The obtained porous carbons were characterized using a BET surface area analyzer to determine the specific surface area and pore size, as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), to characterize their morphology, composition, and structure. The electrochemical characterization was performed using a glassy carbon (GC) electrode modified with marine waste-based porous carbons as the working electrode through cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge using ethaline, a choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvent (DES), as an eco-friendly and sustainable electrolyte. Squid and prawn chitin-based carbons presented a surface area of 149.3 m2 g−1 and 85.0 m2 g−1, pore volume of 0.053 cm3 g−1 and 0.029 cm3 g−1, and an associated specific capacitance of 20 and 15 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, respectively. Preliminary studies were performed to understand the effect of -OH groups on the chitin-based carbon surface with DES as an electrolyte, as well as the effect of aqueous electrolytes (1 mol L−1 sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and 1 mol L−1 potassium hydroxide (KOH)) on the capacitance and retention of the half-cell set up. It is provided, for the first time, the use of chitin-based carbon materials obtained through a one-step carbonization process combined with an eco-friendly DES electrolyte for potential application in energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced during organic waste pyrolysis. In this context, two experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of biochar produced from rice husks and cattle manure on soil fertility and common bean production, as well as to identify the optimal dose of cattle manure biochar to be applied. The first experiment (Experiment I) was conducted according to a completely randomized design (factorial scheme 2 × 2 × 2 + 1) with six replicates: two types of biochar (cattle manure biochar and rice husk biochar), with and without acidity correction [addition of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate (PA) in a proportion of 4:1 (Ca:Mg) to raise the soil base saturation to 60%], with or without the addition of 120 mg dm-3 of phosphorus (P) as ammonium phosphate, and a control treatment (without biochar, acidity correction, and P). Based on the results of Experiment I, a second experiment was conducted according to a completely randomized design, with five treatments (doses of biochar from cattle manure) and four replications. Rice husk biochar, as a conditioner of soil chemical properties, had less prominent effects than cattle manure biochar. Cattle manure biochar functioned as a corrective for soil acidity and a source of nutrients (mainly phosphorus). The dose corresponding to 5.46% of the soil volume led to the maximum grain production by common bean plants.

The objectives of this work were i) determine the entity associated with snap bean plants (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdc. with symptoms similar to those produced by phytoplasmas, ii) ratify or not this initial presumptive diagnosis and iii) offer farmers some tactics for its management. The leaf samples were collected in beds of the Basic Unit of Cooperative Production "Organopónico Vivero Alamar", located in the Municipality of Habana del Este, Havana, Cuba. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from leaf samples by the CTAB 2 % method and the phytoplasmas were detected by nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (nPCR) using a pair of universal primers that amplify 16 S ribosomal RNA. The plants showed dwarfism, short internodes, yellowing, and leaf deformation from the initial growth phases The primers and PCR conditions used allowed the specific amplification of a 1250 bp fragment in these plants that coincided with the one obtained for the band corresponding to phytoplasmas (positive controls used). This is the first report of the presence of phytoplasmas in snap beans in Cuba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soil mesofauna comprises a group of arthropods, whose body size ranges from 0.2 to 2.0 mm, and which are important in transforming soil organic matter, recycling nutrients, and improving physical properties of the ground. Within the faunal groups that inhabit the soil, oribatid mites and springtails stand out because of their number, diversity, abundance of species and activity; great aptitude for speciation, short life cycle and little dispersion of species adapted to edaphic life and to different types of soils. Due to these characteristics, these organisms are used as biogeographic-ecological indicators and indicators of the soil quality and health. The use of biochar (Biocarbón in Spanish), as a soil amendment, to improve fertility and mitigate climate change is becoming a common practice. Rice husk biochar was used in three concentrations. Four tomato seedlings (Solanum lycopersicun L.) cultivar L43 were placed in each experimental unit. A composite sample of each treatment was taken weekly and placed in Berlese-Tullgren funnels for seven days. Subsequently, the collected samples were examined under the stereomicroscope and the individuals were separated by morphospecies for their subsequent slide mounting and identification. Arthropods belonging to the groups Insecta (Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera), Acari, and Collembola were identified. An increase in the number of Collembola was observed in the treatment with 75% Biochar (rice husk) after 28 days. In the case of mites, the most represented orders were Oribatida (Cryptostigmata), Prostigmata, and Mesostigmata, with an increase in their populations in the containers with 25% Biochar after 28 days. A positive influence of biochar on soil arthropods was demonstrated, expressed by the increase in the number of springtails and soil mites with respect to the control, with an outstanding recovery of soil biological activity in the short term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was carried out in the "La Magela" seedling house module, Quivicán municipality, Mayabeque Province, Cuba, in October and November 2022. The ´Elbita´ tomato variety was planted in polystyrene trays of 260 cells, which were previously disinfected with sodium hypochlorite (1%). A completely randomized experimental design with three replicates (trays) and twelve treatments was used. The treatments resulted from combining the substrates (natural rice husk, solarized compost and residual substrate from previous trays) and the pyrolysis moment (mixing the materials before pyrolysis, or pyrolysis of the rice husk. rice alone and then mix it with compost or residual substrate). Four controls (100% carbonized rice husk, blonde peat, solarized compost and residual substrate) were included. Pyrolysis was carried out in a traditional burner (80 cm in diameter, 60 cm in height) with holes and a chimney. Germination percentage (7 days) and height, stem diameter, number of leaves, root volume and integrity of the root ball (after 35 days) were determined. The plants diseased by "damping off" throughout the period were counted. The Infostat statistical program (free version) was used to perform analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the response variables of the experiment. The Tukey test was used in case of statistical significance. A simple correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationship between the variables root volume and root ball integrity. The variant of mixing 75% rice husk with 25% compost and then carbonizing them together showed the best results in height, stem diameter, and number of leaves of the plants, with less impact by "damping off". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the work was to evaluate the combined effect of five biochars and Trichoderma asperellum Samuels, Lieckfeldt & Nirenberg, on stimulation of tomato seedlings and their action on Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood under semi-controlled conditions. The biochars were produced using Kon-Tiki technology. The substrates, containing: red ferralitic soil: organic fertilizer (cow manure): biochar at a 2:1:1 (w/w/w) ratio, were prepared independently. For the trial, 60-cell rooting ball trays, with 65 g of substrate each, were used. At sowing, the biochars were inoculated with a suspension of T. asperellum (Ta.13) (1x107 conidia.ml-1) at a rate of 5 ml per cell. Uninoculated controls were included for each biochar. The trays were randomly distributed. After 30 days, the following parameters were evaluated: length of plant aerial part and root, number of leaves, stem diameter, fresh weight of aerial part and root; the presence of Trichoderma in soil and root was also examined. For the study under semi-controlled conditions, five seedlings were transplanted with selected biochar+Trichoderma), and the corresponding controls, into pots containing five kg of sterile substrate (soil: cow manure, 1:1 w/w) previously inoculated with 500 juveniles (J2) from a pure population of M. incognita and left for 60 days. Finally, the above mentioned parameters and the galling index were evaluated. The mixture of rice biochar and Trichoderma was an optimal substrate with positive effects on the agronomic parameters of tomato seedlings. Compared with the control, it showed a significant reduction of the galling index in pots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using cassava roots waste (Manihot esculenta Crantz), a biochar-type material was synthesized for removal of dyes. Work was carried out with cassava flour summited to 673 K and 80 mbar. The material was characterized by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray powder diffraction analysis (PDRX). These analyses showed that the obtained material was thermally stable with sphere aggregates (10 µm diameter), amorphous structure of lignocellulose and type A starch crystalline structure. Synthesized biochar adsorbed methyl orange (116,4 ± 0,2 mg/g and methyl green (94,2 ± 0,2 mg/g) at 308 K. the foregoing demonstrates the ability of this material to remedy contaminated water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar generated from the pyrolysis of organic materials reduces GHG emissions and impacts the soil's many other physical, chemical, and biological properties. This paper aims to show a systematic review of online databases about the progress and trends of knowledge in biochar, an important topic that contributes to the updating, synthesis, and dissemination of knowledge and allows classifying the growing flow of information and identifying accredited aspects from 2011 to 2022. From 2011 to 2022, 253 scientific articles were collected and 119 were selected. Cooccurrence networks were worked on, and the information was represented through graphs to visualize the total number of connections between entities, grouping (subdomains), and locating synonyms, among others. One of the selection criteria was the type of publication and the synopsis of the study of the effect of biochar on soil, environmental importance, and use in the agricultural sector, as well as the methodological approaches of the research process and implementation feasibility. The results showed a notable increase in research on the subject in recent years, with reports of effectiveness, as a soil conditioner and remediator, GHG mitigation, and a trend for water and soil decontamination with positive progress of new research. However, it is necessary to monitor the effects of the application of biochar in the medium and long term to originate cleaner production processes in the agricultural sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced during organic waste pyrolysis. In this context, two experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of biochar produced from rice husks and cattle manure on soil fertility and common bean production, as well as to identify the optimal dose of cattle manure biochar to be applied. The first experiment (Experiment I) was conducted according to a completely randomized design (factorial scheme 2 × 2 × 2 + 1) with six replicates: two types of biochar (cattle manure biochar and rice husk biochar), with and without acidity correction [addition of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate (PA) in a proportion of 4:1 (Ca:Mg) to raise the soil base saturation to 60%], with or without the addition of 120 mg dm-3 of phosphorus (P) as ammonium phosphate, and a control treatment (without biochar, acidity correction, and P). Based on the results of Experiment I, a second experiment was conducted according to a completely randomized design, with five treatments (doses of biochar from cattle manure) and four replications. Rice husk biochar, as a conditioner of soil chemical properties, had less prominent effects than cattle manure biochar. Cattle manure biochar functioned as a corrective for soil acidity and a source of nutrients (mainly phosphorus). The dose corresponding to 5.46% of the soil volume led to the maximum grain production by common bean plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Exploring infinite resources, green strategy, and inexpensive for producing 2D biocarbon nanosheets is an essential method in renewable energy. This study aims to develop a eutectic salt-induced activation process for the production of porous carbon nanosheets with well-controlled microstructure using varying ZnCl 2 molarity levels. The results showed that biocarbon featuring thin nanosheets with 2D structure and a high specific surface area of 1294 m2g−1 could be obtained in eutectic salt ZnCl 2 at 0.5 molarity with a specific capacitance reaching 495 Fg−1. In addition, the capacitive properties of the cells decreased when the molarity was increased to 0.7 M, leading to a decline in specific capacitance to 171 Fg−1. Based on these results, the new and low-cost strategy of eutectic salt media provided an effective method of converting guinea grass into highly valuable biocarbon in the field of electrochemical energy storage. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium diclofenac (DCF) widely exists in actual water matrices, which can negatively impact ecosystems and aquatic environments even at low-strength. Herein, the adsorption-concentration-mineralization process was innovatively constructed for low-strength DCF elimination by freeze-dried biocarbon and oven-dried biocarbon coupled with cobalt oxide composites derived from the same waste biomass. Surprisingly, low-strength DCF of 0.5 mg/L was adsorbed rapidly and enriched to high-strength DCF under light with a concentration efficiency of 99.67 % by freeze-dried biocarbon. Subsequently, the concentrated DCF was economically mineralized by bifunctional oven-dried biocarbon coupled with cobalt oxide composites for peroxydisulfate (PDS) activation with full PDS activation and 76.11 % mineralization efficiency. Compared with direct low-strength DCF oxidation, adsorption-concentration-mineralization consumed less energy and none PDS residues. Mechanisms confirmed that DCF was adsorbed by freeze-dried biocarbon through hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking interactions, which were switched on due to electron-induced effect by light in DCF desorption-concentration. Furthermore, nonradical pathway (electron transfer) and radical pathway (SO 4 •-) were involved in efficient PDS activation by oven-dried biocarbon coupled with cobalt oxide composites for concentrated DCF mineralization, and the former was more prominent, in which graphitic carbon, cobalt redox cycle and carboxy groups were the main active sites. Overall, an energy-efficient strategy was proposed for elimination of low-strength DCF in real water matrices. [Display omitted] • The low-strength diclofenac was removed by adsorption-concentration-mineralization. • Freeze/oven-drying yielded biocarbon for photodesorption and mineralization. • 99.67 % enrichment efficiency and 76.11 % mineralization efficiency were achieved. • Electron-induced effect by light switched on hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions. • Electron transfer dominated the mineralization of the concentrated diclofenac. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Catalytic pyrolysis significantly reduces the graphenization temperature of biomass. • Metal carbides are crucial intermediate phases during graphenization. • Hydrothermal pre-treatment allows an energy saving of 85% in pyrolysis. • Fast solar pyrolysis promotes graphene layers growth and flattening in biocarbon. • Energy assessment highlights significant energy savings of graphenization processes. Reducing energy consumption and environmental impact in the graphenic material production is of foremost importance. While using lignocellulosic biomass is gaining momentum, processing such a non-graphitizable resource is energy consuming as it requires a thermal treatment above 2000 °C. Three alternative carbonization routes are analyzed: catalytic, hydrothermal pre-treatment and solar. We discuss the sustainability of the biocarbon production as compared to conventional high temperature biomass carbonization. The mechanisms of carbonization and graphenization is unveiled using a variety of characterization methods from macroscopic to nanoscopic scale. In catalytic graphenization, it is showed that metal carbides play a crucial role as intermediate phases in the graphenization mechanism. Solar-driven pyrolysis focused intense radiative flux resulting in an improve of the growth and flattening of graphene layers in biocarbon. For each process considered, the operating conditions can finely be tuned to control the graphenization degree, and successfully convert non-graphitizable lignocellulosic biomass into graphenic biocarbon. This review provides new insights on mechanisms in relation to the energy and environmental assessment. For calcium-doped biomass we estimate an energy saving of 22 % when working at 1600 °C compared to carbonization of raw biomass at 2000 °C attributed to the formation of calcium carbide around 1300 °C. Hydrothermal pre-treatment provides a carbon pre-structuration which could save up to 85 % of pyrolysis energy input by lowering the graphenization temperature to 1200 °C, while solar pyrolysis consumes half the energy as compared to the conventional one. This drastically reduces the environmental impact of the biocarbon production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass-based solutions have been discussed as having the potential to replace fossil-based solutions in the iron and steel industry. To produce the biocarbon required in these processes, thermochemical treatment, pyrolysis, typically takes place. There are various ways to produce biocarbon, alongside other products, which are called pyrolysis oil and pyrolysis gas. These conversion methods can be divided into conventional and non-conventional methods. In this paper, those techniques and technologies to produce biocarbon are summarized and reviewed. Additionally, the effect of different process parameters and their effect on biocarbon yield and properties are summarized. The process parameters considered were final pyrolysis temperature, heating rate, reaction atmosphere, pressure, catalyst, use of binders, and particle size. Finally, the effect of different reactor configurations is discussed. Understanding the combination of these methods, technology parameters, and reactor configurations will help to produce biocarbon with the desired quality and highest yield possible.

Existe la necesidad de sustituir componentes de los sustratos para el desarrollo de las plántulas en vivero forestal, por productos de bajo costo y sobre todo por materiales renovables. El biocarbón es liviano, poroso y presenta una alta capacidad de retención de agua. Por lo anterior, el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el uso de biocarbón a base de bagazo de caña de azúcar en la producción de plantas de pino prieto (Pinus greggii Engelm. ex Parl.), bajo condiciones de vivero. Se evaluaron cuatro tratamientos: (a) biocarbón con suelo forestal, (b) sustrato forestal (mezcla de 12.5% peat moss, 12.5% agrolita, 25% vermiculita y 50% corteza de pino), (c) biocarbón con sustrato forestal, ambos en una relación 1:9 (biocarbón:suelo, biocarbón:sustrato), y (d) suelo forestal solo. Se evaluó el efecto del biocarbón y de la fertilización (N, P y K) en el desempeño de los tratamientos en suelo y sustrato forestal. Las variables evaluadas fueron: altura de planta, diámetro de tallo, biomasa aérea, biomasa radical, biomasa total aérea, a relación biomasa aérea/radical; además la concentración de nutrientes acumulados (N, P, Ca, Mg, K y Na) en la parte aérea y radical. Los resultados obtenidos indican que como resultado de la adición de biocarbón al suelo y la fertilización, la altura, diámetro, biomasa (aérea y total) de pino prieto, fueron semejantes a las obtenidas en sustrato forestal, solo o combinado con biocarbón. Estos resultados se asociaron a la adición de biocarbón al suelo que incrementó la absorción de N y su concentración en la biomasa aérea, y favoreció la disponibilidad de Mg, Ca, K y P, éstos dos últimos elementos adicionados en la fertilización. Se concluye que la combinación de biocarbón y suelo en una relación (1:9) (p/p) con adición de fertilizante (N, P y K) puede ser empleado en el desarrollo de Pinus greggii Engelm ex Parl en vivero.

La investigación se desarrolló en el área experimental de la granja Santa Inés, de la Universidad Técnica de Machala, Se seleccionaron 24 plantas de banano del Clon Williams, subgrupo Cavendish, la superficie experimental del estudio fue 300 m^2, donde se establecieron tres bloques, cada bloque fue ocupado por un tratamiento elegido al azar, cada tratamiento contó con ocho unidades experimentales con tres replicas por tratamiento; el trabajo se realizó con diez aplicaciones mensuales de enmiendas edáficas en la banda de abonado, entre ellos el T1: aplicación de 20 g powercalciovit35% + 30 g KNO3, T2: 50 g biocarbón + 30 g KNO3 y T3: 30 g KNO3. Las variables evaluadas fueron: altura de plantas, emisión foliar, peso de racimo, peso de raquis, ratio procesado, peso de la mano sol, número de manos, número de dedos en mano del sol, calibración mano del sol, calibración última mano, número de hojas a la cosecha, edad racimos y retorno. Con los datos obtenidos se realizó un análisis de varianza (ANOVA) de un factor en el software IBM SPSS STATICS 22.

The aim of this study was to prepare biocarbons by biomass activation with carbon(IV) oxide. Fennel and caraway fruits were used as the precursors of bioadsorbents. The impact of the precursor type and temperature of activation on the physicochemical properties of the obtained biocarbons and their interaction with methyl red sodium salt upon adsorption process have been checked. The obtained bioadsorbents were characterized by determination of-low temperature nitrogen adsorption/desorption, elemental analysis, ash content, Boehm titration, and pH of water extracts. The biocarbons have surface area varying from 233–371 m2/g and basic in nature with acidic/basic oxygen-containing functional groups (3.23–5.08 mmol/g). The adsorption capacity varied from 63 to 141 mg/g. The influence of different parameters, such as the effectiveness of methyl red sodium salt adsorption, was evaluated. The adsorption kinetics was well fitted using a pseudo-second-order model. The Freundlich model best represented the equilibrium data. The amount of adsorbed dye was also found to increase with the increasing temperature of the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]