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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 structural and physio-chemical properties of biochar are crucial to determining biochar's quality and the adequate application. Specifically, the large porosity of biochar has been known as a favorable feature, especially for environmental remediation. In this regard, physical and chemical modifications have been used to improve biochar's porosity which requires high-energy consumption and involves chemical agents. The objective of this study was to prepare biochar with developed porosity using mild treatments. Arundo donax and olive stone were demineralized by a water-washing method. Treated and non-treated biomasses were pyrolyzed, and part of the derived samples was subjected to wet ball milling. Samples were characterized with proximate, Fourier transform infrared, particle size, and physisorption analyses. The effect of demineralization depended on the biomass type, as ash reduction only influenced Arundo donax-derived biochar, which was attributed to the difference in initial ash content that was relatively low for olive stone. The carbonization yield decreased by 46% for the Arundo donax biomass after demineralization. Moreover, demineralization expanded the surface area and total pore volume of the Arundo donax biochar. The ball milling was effective in producing micro-sized biochar particles with a mean size ranging between 30 ± 2 µm and 42 ± 2 µm and between 13 ± 1 µm and 22 ± 2 µm for Arundo donax and olive stone without and with demineralization, respectively. Ball milling increased the surface area of non-demineralized Arundo donax by 47% and demineralized Arundo donax by 124%. Additionally, ball milling increased the surface area of non-demineralized olive stone by 65% and demineralized olive stone by 62%. [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]

The high environmental impact of solid and liquid wastes containing toxic elements and metals is having a negative impact on various ecosystems, this work aims to perform a systematic review and bibliometric analysis of scientific production, hoping to understand the retention and absorption capacity of biochar, analysis Capacity of different biochars for certain pollutants including heavy metals; the bibliometric analysis was performed through a review of web of science (WoS) and Scopus databases. The records obtained are analyzed using graph theory and tools such as bibliometrix, Sci2 Tool, Gephi, are divided into three categories: classical, structural and recent, where three perspectives are obtained: uptake of heavy metals, bioavailability and pollutants; Similarly, it was identified that the field of study is new. The main author is Yang Yi, important authors such as Geng Yong and Liang Dong have a fairly high H-index. Additionally, the countries with the highest production in the subject are: CHINA which ranks first, USA with the second place and KOREA with the third place. [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]

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]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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]

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]

Copyright of Revista Fuentes, El Reventón Energético is the property of Universidad Industrial de Santander and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of co-application of biochar and Trichoderma asperellum Samuels, Lieckfeldt & Nirenberg on growth and production indicators of Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. 'Triunfo-70' in field conditions as a demonstration activity for farmers. In 0.75 ha (22°59'20.9''N - 82°09'10.2''W), a sub-plot (~ 10 % of the area) was established, and a mixture of biochar (Dichrostachys cinerea L.) (pH: 8.64; Electric conductivity: 356.36 μs/cm; T= 24.74ºC; REDOX potential: 203.36 mV) + T. asperellum strain Ta. 13 (concentration 107 spores.ml-1) was applied to the button of the furrows. At the sixth-seventh week after germination, 25 plants were randomly selected in both treated (biochar + T. asperellum) furrows and furrows to which only T. asperellum was applied, and plant height, stem diameter at the soil level, and flower numbers were determined. At the maturaty stage, the number of pods and grains per plant were determined in a same number of plants. In the harvest, dry weight of 100 grains was determined in four samples from plots without biochar and in three samples from the plot with biochar. All data were analyzed by T Test for independent samples. No significant differences were observed in the development of the plants with T. asperellum alone (control) and those with biochar + T. asperellum. Regarding productive indicators, the plants with biochar + T. asperellum produced significantly higher numbers of pods and grains per plant, while seed dry weight was not different between treatments. [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]

An investigation was made into polymeric films based on polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the matrix, in combination with synthetic zeolite and dried or pyrolyzed biocarbon (biochar). The films were prepared by the casting method, and their properties were variously analysed (optical microscopy, FTIR analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, mechanical properties, water solubility, water uptake). Evaluation also encompassed the biological decomposition of the films in the soil environment and their influence on the growth of Sinapis alba. Optical microscopy indicated the particles of the fillers were almost completely evenly distributed in the polymer matrix, therein forming networks randomly. Since the space between the particles decreased as particle content increased, raising the content of the fillers brought about more compact networks. The IR spectra for the films proved the occurrence of hydrogen bonding between the PVP and synthetic zeolite. The processing and mechanical properties of the prepared polymeric films were acceptable. Water solubility and the water uptake of the films were satisfactory regarding handling and further use. Respirometric tests indicated a positive effect by the biocarbon on the biodegradation of the tested films. The proposed combination of synthetic zeolite and biocarbon fillers positively influenced the germination rate of Sinapis alba, while the polymer matrix (PVP) did not hinder further growth. Observations and testing led to the conclusion that the materials based on PVP with fillers (synthetic zeolite/biocarbon) have the potential for agricultural utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Gestión y Ambiente is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Lignin is a promising renewable alternative to fossil fuels for producing carbon materials such as carbon fibers, activated carbons, or carbon black. Despite extensive research, lignin-derived carbon materials show limited graphitization relative to comparable petroleum-derived carbons. Further, lignin-derived carbons show high variation in graphitization and electrical conductivity depending on the source of the lignin. Herein, nine lignins, derived from various feedstocks and isolation procedures, are pyrolyzed to produce biochar at 1100∘C. These lignins have a range of chemical compositions, carbon structures, and particle sizes. As a result, the pyrolysis behavior of these lignins varies, with powdered, clumped powder, and "foam" biochar morphologies resulting from finely powdered lignin. The produced biochars vary widely in both electrical conductivity, from 0.19 to 19 S/cm, and in-plane graphitic crystallite size, from 3.4 to 41.2Å. A significant decrease in electrical conductivity is identified when Na 2 SO 4 is removed from lignin, accompanied by an increase in graphitic crystallite size. Based on this finding, a quadratic relationship between biochar graphitic crystallite aspect ratio and electrical conductivity is proposed that builds on established quasi-percolation models for biochar electrical conductivity. • Electrical conductivity of lignin pyrolyzed at 1100 ∘C varies by a factor of 100. • Na 2 SO 4 in lignin increases the size of graphitic crystallites, decreases conductivity. • High aspect ratio graphitic crystallites are proposed as cause of this behavior. • Lignin-derived biochar carbon structure can be tuned by varying Na 2 SO 4 content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of organic amendments improves the quality and increases the fertility of the soils due to their adsorption properties, stimulates nutrient cycling and can be used to reduce the availability of heavy metals. The main objective of the research was to evaluate the effect of biochar (BC) derived from pig manure on the availability of Pb in a contaminated and limed agricultural soil. A randomized experimental design was applied, the pig manure was dried at room temperature (23 °C) and pyrolyzed at 500 °C for 2 h. Doses of 5%, 10% and 20% of BC were applied to the Pb soils contaminated (165.7 mg/kg), that were arranged in 2 kg pots except for the control sample, and Lactuca sativa was subsequently grown cultivated to evaluate the Pb availability. The results indicated an improvement in soil quality at higher BC dose, increase of 0.34 pH units, decrease of Pb extracted by EDTA (27% to 62% of decrease), and non-significant Pb content in leachates (< 1 mg Pb/L) and no detection in plant roots (< 0.01 mg/kg), except for the control plant (0.7 mg Pb/kg) in the original soil. A logarithmic relational model between BC dose and Pb adsorbed in the soil was obtained (R² = 0.9938, p < 0.05) showing that the decrease of Pb availability in the soil increased for higher BC doses, which represents an eco-friendly remediation alternative. It is recommended to investigate the interaction relationships between the soil quality parameters and to establish functional models of bioaccumulation and extractable metal of the amended soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Avances: Investigación en Ingeniería is the property of Universidad Libre, Facultad de Ingenieria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Biochar is the product from the decomposition of biomass, whose physicochemical characteristics are associated with its origin and the combustion method used. Among these properties, the surface area, the formation of macro and micropores, and the presence of functional groups are highlighted. Due to these characteristics, biochar becomes an alternative material with a high adsorption capacity for toxic compounds contained in polluted wastewater. This work provides information on the biochar generation mechanisms and how they interfere with its physicochemical characteristics. Likewise, the parameters involved in the pollutant removal processes are described, and the treatments under which the biochar can be subjected for its adsorption capacity to be improved are mentioned. Finally, the possible uses or the suitable final disposition that the biochar must have in order to contribute to the circular economy strategy are indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The best solution to the main environmental problem seems to be CO2 capture to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The activated carbons derived from biomass have attracted extensive attention as solid adsorbent for carbon dioxide capture process. In this work, we focus on examining the properties of biochar (non-activated porous carbon) produced from biomass. Physicochemical properties of the biochar were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TG), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and N2 adsorption–desorption at 77 K. In order to evaluate the possibility of using biocarbons for CO2 adsorption in large-scale VPSA units, investigations of these adsorbents in laboratory are necessary. The paper present the potential of biochar for CO2 capture in VPSA unit. The examination of the CO2 sorptive capability, stability and regeneration performance of biochar was carried out using a Mettler-Toledo TGA/SDTA 851e thermobalance and TG-Vacuum system. The sorption of CO2 was carried out isothermally in a flow of a mixture of gasses: CO2 (100 vol.%) and CO2 (16 vol.%)/N2 (84 vol.%). The commercial biochar showed a sorption performance for CO2 up to 26.4 mg CO2 g−1 adsorbent at 30 °C and 30 bar. Repeated use of the adsorbent in the sorption/desorption cycle did not affect its performance, which indicates high sorption stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of organic fertilization on morphological and agronomic indicators of two varieties of Manihot esculenta Crantz. Materials and Methods: In 2019 a trial was conducted during nine months with two varieties of M. esculenta (INI-VIT Y93-4 and Señorita). A randomized block experimental design was applied, with four treatments and three replicas: T1 control-mineral fertilization, T2-fertilization with 700 g/plant of enriched biochar, T3-fertilization with 700 g/plant of compost and T4-fertilization with 350 g of enriched biochar + 350 g of compost/plant. Morphological and agricultural yield variables were measured. Variance analysis and mean comparison through Duncan's test (p ≤ 0,05) were carried out. Results: During the 150 days of study, the morphological variables height and stem diameter, associated to the growth ofM. esculenta in the varieties INIVIT Y93-4 and Señorita, did not show significant differences with regards to the control due to the effect of fertilization. The utilization of biochar, enriched or combined with compost, guaranteed between 3 and 4 kg/m2 ofM. esculenta yield in the varieties INIVIT Y93-4 and Señorita, without significant differences compared with the chemical fertilization. Conclusions: The alternatives of organic fertilization stimulated plant growth during their vegetative phase and guaranteed M. esculenta yields, comparable with chemical fertilization in the varieties INIVIT Y93-4 and Señorita. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A new type of photocatalyst by the dispersion of LaMnO 3 nanoparticles on N doped porous biocarbon using a simple sol-gel method without adding any nitrogen source (such as NH 3 , NH4OH, N 2 H 4). Biochar is obtained from soybean dregs through two methods of hydrolysis and pyrolysis. The results show that the biocar obtained by two-step pyrolysis method is a better choice. The samples are characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence analysis, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analysis (BET) and UV-vis diffuse spectroscopy. It clearly demonstrates that composite exhibit an excellent photocatalytic activity in the degradation of Direct Green BE under UV-vis light because of its larger specific surface area, more active sites, improved charge separation efficiency and enhanced visible harvest ability. Furthermore, three typical N-bonding configurations in porous carbon is efficient for the enhanced photocatalytic activity, the h+ and •O 2 − play main roles in the photocatalytic system. Graphical abstract The mechanism that occurs in the LaMnO 3 /N doped porous carbon during photocatalytic process is shown in the figure. N substitution at "regular" C sites and can be present of three typical N-bonding configurations such as pyridinic, pyrrolic or graphitic nitrogen. The graphitic N can act as the electron-transfer mediator for the photogenerated electrons. Moreover, the pyridinic N and pyrrolic N at the edges or defects can function as the activation region for the oxygen reduction. Image 1 Highlights • Soybean dregs were used to prepare nitrogen doped porous carbon without adding any additional nitrogen sources. • LaMnO 3 nanoparticles anchored on N doped porous carbon as efficient photo-catalyst is the first application. • The mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic performance of composites was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar samples were produced using three types of residual biomass: corncob, coffee husk and shrimp exoskeleton to measure their effect at different doses on germination and growth of seeds of the forest specie Capparis scabrida in vivarium conditions. A comprehensive characterization of produced biochar was carried out including textural, morphological, structural and surface chemical analyzes. Viable seeds of the forestry specie were placed on substrates with doses of 0, 15 and 30% of three types of biochar and placed in 2 kg bags in a vivarium. Finally, the germination and growth ofCapparis scabrida in vivarium conditions were not influenced by the dose and type of biochar used. Germination parameter such as time and % of germination were evaluated; while to evaluated seedling growth, stem and root growth, stem thickening, root mass and aerial part increases and microbial load over the root were assessed. It was determined that the type of biochar had an influence only on the germination time and the biochar dose had an influence on the increase of aerial part mass during the growth of the seedlings. The rest of parameters evaluated not affected either by the type or by the biochar dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of adding engineered biocarbon to a high-forage diet on ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestion, and enteric methane (CH4) production in a semi-continuous culture artificial rumen system (RUSITEC). The experiment was a completely randomized block design with four treatments assigned to sixteen fermentation vessels (four/treatment) in two RUSITEC apparatuses. The basal diet consisted of 60% barley silage, 27% barley grain, 10% canola meal, and 3% supplement (DM basis) with biocarbon added at 0, 0.5, 1, and 2% of substrate DM. The study period was 17 d, with a 10-d adaptation and 7-d sample collection period. Increasing biocarbon linearly increased (P < 0.05) disappearance of DM, OM, CP, ADF and NDF. Compared to control, increasing biocarbon enhanced (P < 0.01) production of total VFA, acetate, propionate, branch-chained VFAs, and tended to increase (P = 0.06) NH3-N. Microbial protein synthesis linearly increased (P = 0.01) with increasing biocarbon. Addition of biocarbon reduced overall CH4 production compared with the control (P = 0.05). There were no differences (P > 0.05) in production of total gas, large or small peptides, or in the number of protozoa as a result of addition of biocarbon to the diet. Addition of biocarbon to a forage diet increased DM digestibility by up to 2%, while lowering enteric CH4 production and enhancing microbial protein synthesis in in vitro semi-continuous culture fermenters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar can be used in a large number of applications, ranging from heat and power production to soil amendment. The properties of carbonized biomass depend on the feedstock and the process conditions. Selection of suitable conditions to produce a char with the desired properties therefore requires knowledge of dependencies and influencing factors, both quantitatively and qualitatively. This paper reviews and summarizes the results from a large number of experiments on biochar production in order to give a general overview of the properties that can be achieved by feedstock selection and process design. Production processes include both torrefaction as well as slow pyrolysis at high temperatures. The data evaluation has shown that among all process conditions, the treatment temperature has by far the most dominant influence on all properties. Especially the rather narrow temperature range between 200 and 400 °C causes the most significant changes and is therefore very sensible to influences and possibly difficult to control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biobased fillers, such as bio-derived cellulose, lignin byproducts, and biochar, can be used to modify the thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of polymer composites. Biochar (BioC), in particular, is of interest for enhancing thermal and electrical conductivities in composites, and can potentially serve as a bio-derived graphitic carbon alternative for certain composite applications. In this work, we investigate a blended biopolymer system: poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), and addition of carbon black (CB), a commonly used functional filler as a comparison for Kraft lignin-derived BioC. We present calculations and experimental results for phase-separation and nanofiller phase affinity in this system, indicating that the CB localizes in the PHBV phase of the immiscible PHBV:PLA blends. The addition of BioC led to a deleterious reaction with the biopolymers, as indicated by blend morphology, differential scanning calorimetry showing significant melting peak reduction for the PLA phase, and a reduction in melt viscosity. For the CB nanofilled composites, electrical conductivity and dynamic mechanical analysis supported the ability to use phase separation in these blends to tune the percolation of mechanical and electrical properties, with a minimum percolation threshold found for the 80:20 blends of 1.6 wt.% CB. At 2% BioC (approximately the percolation threshold for CB), the 80:20 BioC nanocomposites had a resistance of 3.43 × 10 8 Ω as compared to 2.99 × 10 8 Ω for the CB, indicating that BioC could potentially perform comparably to CB as a conductive nanofiller if the processing challenges can be overcome for higher BioC loadings.

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With wood regaining substantial interest as a construction material due to sustainability concerns and aesthetics trends, efficient and safe protection methods are needed to prevent the discouloration and the loss of mechanical properties of this renewable and UV-sensitive material. In this study, sustainable coatings comprising 0 to 20 wt% biocarbon (BC) dispersed in tung oil were developed for wood protection. BC particles were added as ultraviolet (UV) absorbers and were produced by various carbonization routes. The BC powders were characterized in terms of particle size and surface functional groups by Fourier-Transform infrared, and the UV and visible absorbance of dispersed BC powders in water solutions were related to these characteristics. Two wooden substrates (beech and oak) were coated with the developed coatings and the samples underwent six months of onsite weathering. While the total colour change of uncoated samples and tung oil-coated substrates without BC kept increasing over time and resulted in a clear alteration of the wood surface aesthetics, an increased BC content in the coatings led to enhanced colour stability, with alteration of the colour close to 2 for both wood species after six months of weathering for 10 and 20 wt% BC. Coating with tung oil made the wooden substrates, initially hydrophilic, become hydrophobic, and the further introduction of biocarbon increased hydrophobicity. However, the increase in BC content was not correlated with an increase in water repellence, the highest water contact angle being observed for 5 % BC, and no further improvement in hydrophobicity was observed with higher BC content. The weathering negatively affected the water repellence of all the samples (i.e., reference samples and coated samples with various BC content). However, the introduction of 20 % BC best protected the decrease in water repellence induced by the onsite weathering. • Biocarbon particles are good light absorbers in the ultra-violet and visible range. • Absorbance of biocarbon particles is proportional to their concentration in solution. • An increased biocarbon content in tung oil coatings led to enhanced colour stability. • Introduction of biocarbon in tung oil-based coatings increased their hydrophobicity. • Coatings with 20 wt% biocarbon preserved most their water repellence post-weathering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative acid treatments of biochar produced from Miscanthus were performed in this study using nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and a mixture of both. The structural and morphological changes of the acid-treated biochar were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, organic elemental analysis and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Improved surface functionality of the treated biochars was observed in their respective FT-IR spectra through the presence of nitro and carboxylic acid functional groups. SEM–EDS and elemental analysis revealed a large increase in the oxygen to carbon ratio in the biochar, which was evidence of chemical oxidation from the acid treatment. Further, TGA study showed the reduced thermal stability of acid-treated biochar over 200 °C due to the increased oxygen content. Acid treatments also influenced the graphitic structure of the biochar, as observed in the Raman spectra. The results suggest that biochar can be successfully functionalized for composite applications and provide a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based carbon additives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a process to densify, homogenize, and stabilize diverse biomass feedstocks. The water requirements of HTC need to be assessed to determine commercial feasibility. This current research work focuses on the effects on HTC of using recycled process water for multiple process cycles. Loblolly pine was treated in hot, compressed water at 200, 230, and 260°C for 5 min with a 5:1 water:biomass mass ratio. Liquid product was separated and recycled for reuse in HTC, nine cycles at 200 and 230°C and five cycles at 260°C. The solid products (biocarbon) were characterized by their mass yields, higher heating values (HHVs), and equilibrium moisture content (EMC), whereas in the liquid samples, total organic carbon (TOC) content and pH were determined. With successive recycling, biocarbon mass yield increases by 5-10% above the yield recorded for the initial cycle at each temperature investigated, whereas biocarbon HHV is essentially unchanged. The aqueous TOC is increasingly concentrated with the number of cycles and reaches an equilibrium. The EMC results suggest that the effects of recycling process water on hydrophobicity of the biocarbon are negligible. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 33: 1309-1315, 2014 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]