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Influence of activation conditions on the physicochemical properties of activated biochar: a review

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Abstract

The biochar produced from agricultural crop residues through thermochemical processes helps in crop waste management. Biochar has paid more attention due to its distinctive features such as high organic carbon content, stable structure, large surface area, and cation exchange capacity. The biochar obtained from crop residues can be readily converted into activated biochar. This review paper systematically summarised the preparation of activated biochar, characterisation, and analytical techniques of activated biochar based on more than 150 literatures published in the last 10 years. The physicochemical properties of activated biochar varies according to the type of feedstock, pyrolysis condition, and mode of activation. The selection of the activation method mainly depends on its further end environmental application. Physical activation or steam purging at high temperature creates pores inside biochar. Gas purging increases the surface area and pore volume, although steam activation is not much suitable to improve the BC surface functionality as compared to chemical and impregnation activation. Sulphuric and oxalic acid–modified biochar was found to be most suitable for the soil amendment. Alkaline activation enhances the surface area and oxygen-containing functional group in activated biochar. Metal oxide–modified biochar had better surface functionalities than did physical- and chemical-activated biochar and better sorption of organic and inorganic contaminants from potable water and waste water. In summary, activated biochar has a wide environmental prospect in remediation.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Govt. of India for providing financial support to design and development of vacuum pyrolysis reactor for activated biochar production under Consortium Research Platform on Energy from Agriculture (CRP on EA). The author (Ashish Pawar) is also thankful to Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Govt. of India for providing research fellowship.

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  1. Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, College of Technology and Engineering, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur, Rajasthan, 313001, India

    N. L. Panwar & Ashish Pawar

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Panwar, N.L., Pawar, A. Influence of activation conditions on the physicochemical properties of activated biochar: a review. Biomass Conv. Bioref. 12, 925–947 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-020-00870-3

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