What is biochar?

Biochar is a natural carbon-based material, and the solid byproducts of different biomasses pyrolysis processes which is the thermochemical decomposition of biomass at high temperature and inert atmosphere.

The structure of biochar

Biochar is a composition of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and inorganic ash with various percentages. The amounts of each element and ash in biochar are influenced by the origin of initial biomass, the pyrolysis conditions, and each pre- and post-treatment procedure. The pyrolysis processes convert biomass aliphatic carbon chains to biochar aromatic carbon. The higher H/C ratio suggests a higher degree of aromatization in biochar structure, while higher O/C and N/C ratios propose a higher doped and superficial polar functional group which improves the hydrophilicity of biochar. In particular, biochar is considered a non-graphitic/non-graphitizable carbon that possesses various groups of localized parallel carbon sheets that are hardly cross-linked together.

What makes biochar so versatile?

Biochar is a carbon-based material with high thermal and mechanical stability and tunable properties.  Several modification procedures such as selection of proper biomass, controlling the pyrolysis conditions, heteroatom doing, surface functionalization, activation, and composing with other materials can be applied to improve the biochar-specific properties such as porosity, specific surface area, hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity, and morphology. Biochar's versatility makes it a valuable material in agriculture, industry, and environmental management, with significant potential for sustainability and climate mitigation.

Biochar applications…

Biochar has a wide range of applications due to its unique physical, chemical, and environmental properties. Here are some key applications:

1. Soil Amendment and Agriculture

Improves soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability, Stores carbon in the soil, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, Neutralizes acidic soils and enhances microbial activity, and Acts as a habitat for beneficial microbes that suppress pests.

2. Aborbent for water Purification: Removes contaminants like heavy metals, organic pollutants, and excess nutrients from water.
3. Energy and Fuel

• Bioenergy Production: Co-product of biochar production includes bio-oil and syngas, which can be used as renewable energy sources.
• Solid Fuel: Can be used as a clean and efficient fuel in stoves or industrial processes.

• Electrodes for aqueous, organic, and solid-state supercapacitors
• Anode in Lithium-ion Battery

4. Construction Materials: Enhances properties of concrete and other building materials when used as an additive.
5. Catalysis: Acts as a catalyst or catalyst support in chemical processes.
6. Climate Change Mitigation

• Carbon Negative Technology: Captures and stores carbon for long periods, contributing to reducing atmospheric CO₂.
• Reduction of Methane Emissions: Inhibits the release of methane from agricultural and waste systems.