Skip to main content

Nanostructured Biochar: Production Pathways and Applications

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Security and Protection against CBRN Threats

Abstract

Hydrochar/biochar represents the solid yield of the hydrothermal carbonization and the pyrolysis processes of biomass. It is a nanostructured carbon-rich material with a high specific energy and density, high hydrophobicity and high friability. This coal-like material might appear like a very low-tech product. However, its physicochemical properties make it potentially useful in variety of fields such as energy storage, in environmental field as a sustainable way to mitigate anthropogenic CO2 by CO2 sorption and sequestration, in waste-water pollution remediation, as soil amendment, as a precursor for activated carbon, in the advanced material field as a primary material for nano-structured material generation (nanocomposites), in building insulation and bioenergy production. Biochar has H/O and O/C ratios similar to those of coal and a comparable caloric value with low ash and oxygen content. The production of hydrochar/biochar using either hydrothermal carbonization or pyrolysis techniques will be fully described. The potential applications of biochar and hydrochar will be presented and discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Nizamuddina BS, Balochb HA, Griffina GJ, Mubarakc NM, Bhuttob AW, Abrod R, Mazarib SA, Ali BSA, Si S (2017) An overview of effect of process parameters on hydrothermal carbonization of biomass. Renew Sust Energ Rev 73(December 2015):1289–1299

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Wang T, Zhai Y, Zhu Y, Li C, Zeng G (2018) A review of the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass waste for hydrochar formation: process conditions, fundamentals, and physicochemical properties. Renew Sust Energ Rev 90(March):223–247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Kambo HS, Dutta A (2015) A comparative review of biochar and hydrochar in terms of production, physico-chemical properties and applications. Renew Sust Energ Rev 45:359–378

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Kim D, Yoshikawa K, Park KY (2015) Characteristics of biochar obtained by hydrothermal carbonization of cellulose for renewable energy. Energies 8(12):14040–14048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Fang J, Zhan L, Ok YS, Gao B (2018) Minireview of potential applications of hydrochar derived from hydrothermal carbonization of biomass. J Ind Eng Chem 57:15–21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Missaoui A, Bostyn S, Belandria V, Cagnon B, Sarh B, Gökalp I (2017) Hydrothermal carbonization of dried olive pomace: energy potential and process performances. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 128(April):281–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Zhang S, Hu B, Zhang L, Xiong Y (2016) Effects of torrefaction on yield and quality of pyrolysis char and its application on preparation of activated carbon. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 119:217–223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Tripathi M, Sahu JN, Ganesan P (2016) Effect of process parameters on production of biochar from biomass waste through pyrolysis: a review. Renew Sust Energ Rev 55:467–481

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Akhtar J, Saidina N, Wood P (2012) A review on operating parameters for optimum liquid oil yield in biomass pyrolysis. Renew Sust Energ Rev 16(7):5101–5109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Gascó G, Paz-Ferreiro J, Álvarez ML, Saa A, Méndez A (2018) Biochars and hydrochars prepared by pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonisation of pig manure. Waste Manag 79:395–403

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Wang X-D, Zhao S-X, Ta N (2017) Effect of temperature on the structural and physicochemical properties of biochar with apple tree branches as feedstock material. Energies 10(9):1293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Al Afif R, Anayah SS, Pfeifer C (2019) Batch pyrolysis of cotton stalks for evaluation of biochar energy potential. Renew Energy 116:9

    Google Scholar 

  13. Jiang Q, Xie W, Han S, Wang Y, Zhang Y (2019) Enhanced adsorption of Pb(II) onto modified hydrochar by polyethyleneimine or H3PO4: an analysis of surface property and interface mechanism. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 583(August):123962

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Abel S, Peters A, Trinks S, Schonsky H, Facklam M, Wessolek G (2013) Impact of biochar and hydrochar addition on water retention and water repellency of sandy soil. Geoderma 202–203:183–191

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  15. Bento LR, Castro AJR, Moreira AB, Ferreira OP, Bisinoti MC, Melo CA (2019) Release of nutrients and organic carbon in different soil types from hydrochar obtained using sugarcane bagasse and vinasse. Geoderma 334(June 2017):24–32

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  16. Sullivan GL, Prigmore RM, Knight P, Godfrey AR (2019) Activated carbon biochar from municipal waste as a sorptive agent for the removal of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phenols and petroleum based compounds in contaminated liquids. J Environ Manag 251(August):109551

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Möller M, Nilges P, Harnisch F, Schröder U (2011) Subcritical water as reaction environment: fundamentals of hydrothermal biomass transformation. ChemSusChem 4(5):566–579

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Zhuang CWX, Zhanb H, Songa Y, Hed C, Huanga Y, Yina X (2019) Insights into the evolution of chemical structures in lignocellulose and non-lignocellulose biowastes during hydrothermal carbonization (HTC). Fuel 236(July 2018):960–974

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Pontirolia MRD, Scaravonatia S, Magnania G, Fornasinia L, Bersania D, Bertonib G, Milanesed C, Girellad A, Ridie F, Verucchif R, Mantovanig L, Malcevschig A (2019) Super-activated biochar from poultry litter for high-performance supercapacitors. Microporous Mesoporous Mater 285(February):161–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Pin Gao GX, Zhou Y, Menga F, Zhang Y, Liu Z, Zhang W (2016) Preparation and characterization of hydrochar from waste eucalyptus bark by hydrothermal carbonization. Energy 97:238–245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Zhu CZG, Yangb L, Gaob Y, Xua J, Chena H, Zhua Y, Wangb Y, Liaoa C, Lub C (2019) Characterization and pelletization of cotton stalk hydrochar from HTC and combustion kinetics of hydrochar pellets by TGA. Fuel 244(January):479–491

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. He C, Giannis A, Wang JY (2013) Conversion of sewage sludge to clean solid fuel using hydrothermal carbonization: hydrochar fuel characteristics and combustion behavior. Appl Energy 111:257–266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Yang S, Wi S, Lee J, Lee H, Kim S (2019) Biochar-red clay composites for energy efficiency as eco-friendly building materials: thermal and mechanical performance. J Hazard Mater 373(March):844–855

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Dahal RK, Acharya B, Saha G, Bissessur R, Dutta A, Farooque A (2019) Biochar as a filler in glassfiber reinforced composites: experimental study of thermal and mechanical properties. Compos Part B Eng 175(March):107169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Cuthbertson D, Berardi U, Briens C, Berruti F (2019) Biochar from residual biomass as a concrete filler for improved thermal and acoustic properties. Biomass Bioenergy 120(November 2018):77–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Elaiyappillaia PMJE, Srinivasana R, Johnboscod Y, Devakumarb P, Murugesanc K, Kesavanb K (2019) Low cost activated carbon derived from Cucumis melo fruit peel for electrochemical supercapacitor application. Appl Surf Sci 486(December 2018):527–538

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  27. Ding L, Wang Z, Li Y, Du Y, Liu H, Guo Y (2012) A novel hydrochar and nickel composite for the electrochemical supercapacitor electrode material. Mater Lett 74:111–114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Heikkinena KRJ, Keskinena R, Soinnea H, Hyväluomaa J, Nikamaa J, Wikbergb H, Källib A, Siipolab V, Melkiorc T, Dupontd C, Camparguee M, Larssonf SH, Hannulag M (2019) Possibilities to improve soil aggregate stability using biochars derived from various biomasses through slow pyrolysis, hydrothermal carbonization, or torrefaction. Geoderma 344(March):40–49

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  29. Zeng YHG, Wu H, Liang J, Guo S, Huang L, Xu P, Liu Y, Yuana Y, Hea X (2015) Efficiency of biochar and compost (or composting) combined amendments for reducing Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb bioavailability, mobility and ecological risk in wetland soil. RSC Adv 5(44):34541–34548

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Gascó G, Álvarez ML, Paz-Ferreiro J, Méndez A (2019) Combining phytoextraction by Brassica napus and biochar amendment for the remediation of a mining soil in Riotinto (Spain). Chemosphere 231:562–570

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature B.V.

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Mellalou, A., Outzourhit, A., Bacaoui, A. (2020). Nanostructured Biochar: Production Pathways and Applications. In: Petkov, P., Achour, M., Popov, C. (eds) Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Security and Protection against CBRN Threats. NATO Science for Peace and Security Series B: Physics and Biophysics. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-2018-0_14

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics