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Polylactic acid (PLA) is a widely recognized biodegradable polymer. However, the slow crystallization rate of PLA restricts its practical applications. In this study, camphor leaf biochar decorated with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (C@MWCNTs) was prepared using the strong adhesive properties of polydopamine, and PLA/C@MWCNTs composites were fabricated via the casting solution method. The influence of C@MWCNTs as a novel nucleating agent on the melt behavior and non-isothermal crystallization behavior of PLA was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The crystallization kinetic parameters were obtained through the Jeziorny, Ozawa, and Mo methods, and the crystallization activation energy of the PLA/C@MWCNTs composites was calculated by the Kissinger method. The results show that the PLA/C@MWCNTs composites exhibit higher crystallinity and crystallization temperatures than those of PLA. Non-isothermal crystallization kinetic analysis reveals that the Mo method better describes the non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of both PLA and PLA/C@MWCNTs composites. In addition, it was found that C@MWCNTs, despite increasing the crystallization activation energy, can act as an efficient nucleating agent to increase the crystallization rate of PLA. These experimental results provide valuable insights for enhancing the slow crystallization rates associated with PLA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last few decades, a large number of natural additives have been analysed in connection with the improvement of the properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) bioplastic materials. This article comprehensively analyses the applicability of a highly stable and progressive multifunctional additive produced from renewable resources—biochar. The effect of biochar on the structural development and various thermo-mechanical properties was evaluated as a function of the biochar size and volume, addition of an impact modifier and in-mould annealing during injection moulding. In addition, the effect of accelerated ageing on the change in properties was also analysed. The evaluated results showed a significant influence of the particle size and biochar content on the properties of PLA biocomposites. However, the crucial aspect was the production process with a higher mould temperature and longer production time. Consequently, the effect of additives with adjusted processing worked synergistically on the performance of the resulting biocomposites. The accelerated ageing process did not induce any significant changes in the mechanical, impact and heat resistance behaviour of neat PLA. On the other hand, significant effects on the behaviour of the modified PLA biocomposites were observed. Impact-modified PLA achieved a toughness of 28 kJ/m2, an increase of 61% compared to neat PLA. Similar observations were made when submicron biochar was incorporated into the PLA matrix (a 22% increase with PLA/5B1). These increases were even more pronounced when injected into a 100 °C mould. Due to the synergistic effect, excellent impact toughness results of 95 kJ/m2 (a 428% increase) were achieved with PLA/IM/5B1. Moreover, these results persisted even after accelerated ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of biochar and organic acid on soil phosphorus effectiveness, plant accumulation phosphorus absorption, yield composition, and phosphorus equilibrium under different phosphorus fertilizer dosage conditions. Using the field test method, different phosphate fertilizer dosage treatments (0, 50, 100, 150 kg P2O5/ha) were set, and a control group, biochar (BC), and organic acid (OA) addition treatment were set up on this basis. During the experiment, the soil fast-acting phosphorus, accumulated phosphorus absorption, and cottonseed yield of cotton were measured, and the utilization of phosphorus fertilizer and phosphorus surplus were calculated. The results showed that the addition of biochar and organic acid significantly improved the soil phosphorus content, plant accumulation phosphorus absorption, cottonseed yield, and phosphate fertilizer utilization. In particular, in terms of plant accumulation of phosphorus absorption, cottonseed production and phosphate fertilizer utilization, biochar was better than organic acids, increasing by 10.2%, 0.29%, and 0.21%, respectively. Under the conditions of phosphorus fertilizer loss, the addition of biochar can effectively improve the effectiveness of phosphorus in soil and regulate the absorption and distribution of phosphorus in cotton, thus promoting the yield of cottonseed. In summary, the addition of biochar has important application potential in phosphorus management in cotton fields, which can provide a scientific basis for the sustainable development of cotton fields in Xinjiang. The results provide a reference for the rational use and management of phosphate fertilizer in cotton fields and promote the sustainable development of agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their widespread distribution, microplastics (MPs) are endangering the soil ecological environment system, causing water pollution and altering the soil's physicochemical and microbiological features. Because of its unique pore structure and strong stability, biochar is widely used as an adsorbent. However, the effects of MP–biochar interactions in water and soil environment are still unclear. This review outlines the application and mechanism of biochar as an adsorbent in a water environment for the removal of MPs. Also, biochar serves as remediation material for MPs in soils as it mitigates the adverse effects of MPs on soil properties, enzyme activities and soil microbial community. It was found that woody biochar had the highest yield and was more effective in adsorbing MPs. Further research should focus on the combined effects of biochar and MPs, the environmental risks of biochar, the modification of biochar application of MP-removal technologies, the characterization of MP properties, the remediation of combined contamination of MPs and other pollutants, and the transportation of MPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using agricultural waste biomass pyrolysis to produce energy sources and biochar may support local economies in rural areas and enhance sustainability in the agricultural sector, reducing dependence on traditional energy sources and fertilisers. To obtain liquid and gaseous forms of biomass fuel, wheat straw pellets were pyrolysed in a screw reactor at temperatures of 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 °C. An analysis was conducted to assess the influence of process temperature on the physicochemical composition of the raw material and the resulting biochar, pyrolysis liquid, and synthesis gas. The presence of potentially harmful substances in the biochar, whose addition to soil can improve soil properties, was assessed by quantitatively determining polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Similar tests were carried out for pyrolysis fluid. The assessments were based on the standards for the most dangerous PAHs: fluorene, anthracene, fluoranthene, benzo[b]fluorine, benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene, and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene. The results indicated that the total content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the biochar ranged from 346.81 µg·kg−1 at 300 °C to 1660.87 µg·kg−1 (700 °C). In the pyrolytic fluid, the PAH content ranged from 58,240.7 µg·kg−1 (300 °C) to 101,889.0 µg·kg−1 (600 °C). It was found that the increase in PAH content in both the biochar and the liquid progressed with increasing pyrolysis temperature. After finding a correlation between the increase in the PAH content in biochar and the increase in the content of high-energy gases in the synthesis gas, it was concluded that it is difficult to reconcile the production of PAH-free biochar in the pyrolysis of biomass with obtaining high-energy gas and pyrolysis oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential of a nut residue, activated only by physical means, to simultaneously adsorb Sr2+, Mn2+, Pb2+ and As5+ from contaminated waters was investigated. Mono-metal and multi-metal adsorption behavior and adsorption capacities by the solid material were compared for a range of initial metals concentrations, adsorbent dose, contact time and solution pH. The mechanisms of adsorption were examined by conducting structural, mineralogical and chemical analyses and applying two isotherm models to simulate experimental data. In the case of mono-metal adsorption, the maximum uptake of Sr2+ by the biochar was 12.3, of Mn2+ 23.8, of Pb2+ 24.7 and of As5+ 12.4 mg/g. In the case of multi-metal adsorption, the uptake of each metal was enhanced as the total ion flux density increased, revealing that there was no competition between these ions for biochar's sorption sites. For an adsorbent dose of 2 g/L, the maximum adsorption capacity of biochar for Sr2+, Mn2+, Pb2+ and As5+ could be raised up to 47.6, 49.9, 25 and 48.7 mg/g, respectively. Potential adsorption mechanisms were chemical complexation or electron coordination between the metals and the biochar matrix, as well as mineral precipitation on the adsorbent surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of using powdered activated carbon (PAC) in conjunction with ultrafiltration (UF) has been widely adopted for the treatment of various types of water and wastewater. However, during the application of this integrated PAC-UF process, PAC tends to adhere significantly to the surface of the UF membrane, which exacerbates membrane fouling. To tackle this issue, this study proposed an innovative water treatment approach that simultaneously integrated granular activated carbon (GAC) and PAC/biochar with UF. In this setup, PAC/biochar was intended to enhance water quality, while the fluidized GAC particles were aimed at reducing membrane fouling and the deposition of PAC/biochar on the membrane surface. We systematically analyzed the operational performance of the integrated systems concerning fouling formation, PAC/biochar attachment, effluent quality, and foulant components. The results indicate that both PAC and biochar effectively improved effluent quality in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and hardness, although they significantly deposited on the membrane surface during operation. Notably, PAC was more prone to attach to the membrane than biochar, and the fouling in biochar-UF systems was primarily attributed to the attachment of organic foulants rather than biochar itself. By combining with GAC, up to 46.01% of membrane fouling and 96.11% of PAC/biochar attachment were mitigated due to the strong mechanical action of the fluidized GAC particles. Importantly, the inclusion of fluidized GAC did not significantly affect effluent quality. Consequently, the GAC-PAC/biochar systems proposed in this study demonstrated dual benefits of improving effluent quality and ensuring stable operation, thereby providing a viable solution for efficient and sustainable water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, tomato, a commercially important crop, is increasingly cultivated in a soilless cultivation system to counteract climate change. Normally, this system uses cocopeat as a substrate, but its high cost and environmental impact have led to growing interest in alternatives like biochar (BC). In addition, biostimulants, such as wood distillate (WD), a pyrolysis by-product, are increasingly being used to improve fruit yield and quality. BC was used to partially replace (2% and 5%) cocopeat in growth bags for soilless tomato cultivation. Moreover, WD (3 mL/L) was distributed in the substrate every two weeks. The effect of BC and WD on tomato plant growth, fruit quality, and substrate microbial community was investigated. The integration of BC and WD into a soilless growing system for tomato cultivation can improve the fruit quality and influence the microbial activity of the substrate. Replacing part of the cocopeat in the substrate with BC and using an agri-waste-derived biostimulant represent a step forward in making agriculture more sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in aquatic ecosystems is a serious global environmental issue. Biochar derived from agricultural wastes has recently attracted remarkable attention as it is used as an absorbent in combating heavy metal contamination of water bodies. In the present study, the absorption efficacy of fish bone (FBM) and fishbone-derived biochar prepared at 200 °C, 400 °C, 600 °C, and 800 °C (referred to as B200, B400, B600, and B800, respectively) for the Cd ion (Cd2+) in aqueous solution was investigated. The results showed that high-temperature pyrolysis could optimize the pore structure and specific surface area of FBM, and Cd2+ successfully adsorbed onto FBM and fishbone-derived biochar. High-temperature pyrolysis significantly increased the FBM adsorption capacity for Cd2+ by 49.5–135.1%, with the optimal pyrolysis temperature being 600 °C. Furthermore, the kinetic data of FBM and fishbone-derived biochar for Cd2+ were in better alignment with the pseudo-second-order model, their adsorption isotherms were better in accordance with the Langmuir models, and the thermodynamic analysis showed that the adsorption process was monolayer and favorable adsorption. Moreover, the potential adsorption mechanisms of Cd2+ on FBM and fishbone-derived biochar might be related to pore filling, ion exchange, complexation with oxygen functional groups, and precipitation with the minerals on the biochar surface. Fishbone-derived biochar has significant potential for wastewater treatment and agricultural waste applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the pursuit of environmental sustainability and food security, biochar has emerged as a promising soil conditioner to mitigate continuous cropping obstacles (CCOs). This study explored the use of engineered biochar (WP400) with high adsorption capacity for phenolic acids in celery cultivation. Using liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF/MS) for both target and suspect analyses, along with Biolog EcoPlate™ to track the functional diversity of soil bacteria, the study examined chemical and microbiological interactions at varying WP400 application rates. WP400 enhanced celery growth, reduced disease severity, and adsorbed p-coumaric acid (COU), a potential autotoxin. Additionally, other potential allelochemicals, predominantly fatty acid-related, were identified, suggesting a broader role for fatty acids in allelopathy. WP400 also influenced soil bacterial carbon utilization and altered microbial communities. However, higher WP400 doses (0.8% w/w) may not be beneficial for celery growth and reduced bacterial metabolic potential, indicating limitations to its effectiveness. Proper application of WP400 provides a sustainable solution for alleviating continuous cropping issues, promoting both environmental sustainability and agricultural development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the phytotoxicity of agro-industrial wastes (almond, walnut, pistachio and peanut shells, asparagus spears, and brewer's spent grain) and their biochar through germination bioassays in several horticultural species: green pea, lettuce, radish, and arugula. Biowaste was pyrolyzed under controlled conditions to produce biochar, and both biowaste and biochar were characterized. Germination bioassay was conducted using seeds exposed to different dilutions of aqueous extract of biowaste and their biochar (0, 50, and 100%). Germination percentage, seed vigor, germination index, and root and aerial lengths were evaluated. The results showed that the phytotoxicity of the biowaste was significantly different to that of its biochar. The biochar obtained demonstrated changing effects on germination and seedling growth. In particular, biochar extracts from spent brewers grains, walnut shells, and pistachio shells showed 5–14% increases in seed vigor and root and aerial length. Furthermore, the response of different species to both agro-industrial waste and biochar revealed species-specific sensitivity. Seeds of lettuce and arugula species were more sensitive to aqueous extracts than radish and green peas. This knowledge not only elucidates the behavior of agro-industrial waste-based biochar in the early stage of plant development but also provides valuable insights regarding phytotoxicity, seed sensitivity, and the variables involved in germination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar and phosphate fertilizer are commonly employed for the mitigation of soil cadmium (Cd) contamination. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of research regarding the mechanism behind their joint implementation. In this study, a combination of corn straw biochar (0 (C0), 5 (C5), and 10 (C10) g kg−1) and calcium superphosphate (0 (P0), 0.1 (P1), 0.2 (P2), 0.5 (P5), and 1.0 (P10) g kg−1) was applied in pot experiments, and the effects of the combined application on Cd bioavailability and its uptake by cabbage were investigated in Cd-contaminated soils. The results demonstrated that the combined treatment of applying biochar and Ca(H2PO2)2 yielded a significant decrease in the uptake of Cd by cabbage in alkaline soil, in contrast to the individual treatments of biochar or Ca(H2PO2)2. Compared to the CK treatment (C0P0), the Cd content in the shoots decreased by 46.26% and in the roots decreased by 24.81%, while the biomass of the cabbage demonstrated a noteworthy increase in C5P10 treatment. Compared to the CK treatment, the content of available phosphate (AP) in the soil increased by 17.57 mg kg−1, residual Cd increased by 22.02%, the exchangeable Cd decreased by 45.86%, and carbonate-bound Cd decreased by 20.55% in the C5P10 treatment. Therefore, it is advisable to use a combination of 5 g kg−1 biochar and 1 g kg−1 Ca(H2PO2)2 for the restoration of soil contaminated with Cd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar, a carbon-rich by-product of organic matter pyrolysis, has a variety of physiochemical properties beside a variety of applications. This review highlights some physical and chemical characteristics of herbaceous, woody, and sewage waste biochar under different pyrolysis conditions, as well as soil and foliar applications of biochar. The controlling role of pyrolysis temperature was the reason for selecting the discussed biochar types in the study. This review concludes that increasing pyrolysis temperature mainly raised the values of some chemical properties of the biochar, such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), ash content, total phosphorus (TP), and a few values of physical properties like porosity and specific surface area (SSA). On the other hand, yield and total nitrogen (TN) decreased with rising pyrolysis temperature. Among biochar application methods to soil, mixing biochar with soil before planting is one of the best methods of application, and in most cases, biochar reapplication improved soil properties, while foliar application of biochar has positive effects on plant growth and yield parameters, ranging from low rates to the highest ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kitchen waste is a misplaced resource that is characterized by a high organic matter content, high water content, and a tendency to rot easily. Biochar is a black solid substance produced under high-temperature, anaerobic conditions using agricultural organic wastes as the raw material. It possesses a large specific surface area, a loose and porous structure, and functional groups, which confer high thermal stability and strong adsorption capabilities. However, little is known about how humic products made from biochar affect the composition and structure of soil humus. To solve the above problems, this study carried out a two-year outdoor field experiment by means of element analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and differential thermal analysis (0.4 kg/m2 (W4), 0.8 kg/m2 (W8), 1.2 kg/m2 (W12), 1.6 kg/m2 (W16), and 2.0 kg/m2 (W20)); CK was the blank control (no application). The samples were collected one year and two years after they returned to the field. The results showed that the application of organic materials facilitated the accumulation of soil organic carbon (SOC) and increased the total nitrogen (TN) content. The highest SOC content in the W20 treatment was 12.39 g/kg and 14.67 g/kg in one and two years, respectively. The maximum relative HA content in the W20 treatment was 22.99% one year after returning to the field. The PQ value (the ratio of HA/(fulvic acid (FA) + HA)) for the W20 treatment was 88.21%. The W20 treatment greatly increased the SOC and humus carbon contents. Compared with the CK treatment, all the organic materials applied for one year improved the structure of the humic acid to varying degrees, increased the degree of oxidation, reduced the degree of condensation and thermal stability of the HA in the soil, and gradually simplified the structure of the humic acid; among all the treatments, the W20 treatment had the greatest effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, biochar (BC) and biochar-based soil amendments (CSAs) have been widely used in agriculture and the environment. In the present study, a two-rice-season field study was conducted to explore the comprehensive effects of applying BC (1%) and CSA (0.5% and 1%) on soil organic carbon accumulation, soil acidification amelioration and heavy metal availability in a soil–rice system. The results show that soil pH was increased by 0.5–1.7 units and 0.3–1.0 units, respectively, in the early rice season and late rice season treated by the amendments compared with CK. Soil organic contents were increased by 18–30% in the early rice season and by 15–25% in the late rice season in the amended treatments. In addition, soil available phosphorus contents were largely increased as a result of BC and CSA addition. Soil CaCl2 extractable heavy metals (Cd, Ni, Cu and Zn) were simultaneously decreased by BC or CSA amendments. In addition, Cd contents in early rice grain and late rice grain were significantly reduced by 25–48% and 52–83% in amended treatments, while Zn contents were generally not affected. The uptake of Cu and Ni was also decreased by BC and CSA. This study demonstrates that biochar application alone or combinates with inorganic amendments (limestone, sepiolite and potassium dihydrogen phosphate) can significantly improve soil properties and nutrient content and decrease the heavy metal (especially for Cd and Ni) uptake and accumulation from soil to rice grain, where the combination application is more effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search for low-cost and effective adsorbents for the removal of organic dyes from contaminated water is urgently needed. The substantial amount of waste mushroom cultivation substrates generated in practical production can serve as an ideal material for the preparation of adsorbents. In this study, we investigated the main control parameters affecting the performance of magnetic mushroom substrate biochar and optimized the process of preparing biochar by using the Plackett–Burman and central composite design methods. Various analytical techniques including SEM, EDX, BET, and VSM were used to characterize the biochar. The results indicate that the carbonization temperature had the most significant impact on the yield and adsorption performance of biochar. Under the conditions of a carbonization temperature of 600 °C, a carbonization retention time of 1 h, and an impregnation ratio of 0.1, the yield and methylene blue adsorption value of magnetic biochar were 42.54% and 2297.04 μg/g, respectively, with a specific surface area of 37.17 m2/g. This biochar effectively removed methylene blue from the solution, demonstrating a high economic efficiency for wastewater treatment and pollution control. Furthermore, the adsorption–desorption cycle studies revealed its excellent stability and reusability. Additionally, based on the response surface methodology, a three-dimensional surface model of the adsorption performance of magnetic biochar under different carbonization conditions was established, providing a theoretical basis for the preparation of magnetic biochar from agricultural wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study developed mycelial biochar composites, BQH-AN and BQH-MV, with stable physicochemical properties and significantly improved adsorption capabilities through microbial modification. The results showed that the specific surface area and porosity of BQH-AN (3547.47 m2 g−1 and 2.37 cm3 g−1) and BQH-MV (3205.59 m2 g−1 and 2.46 cm3 g−1) were significantly higher than those of biochar BQH (2641.31 m2 g−1 and 1.81 cm3 g−1), which was produced without microbial treatment. In adsorption experiments using rhodamine B (RhB), tetracycline hydrochloride (TC), and Cr (VI), BQH-AN showed maximum adsorption capacities of 1450.79 mg g−1 for RhB, 1608.43 mg g−1 for TC, and 744.15 mg g−1 for Cr(VI). BQH-MV showed similarly strong performance, with 1329.85 mg g−1 for RhB, 1526.46 mg g−1 for TC, and 752.27 mg g−1 for Cr(VI). These values were not only higher than those of BQH but also outperformed most other biochar adsorbents. Additionally, after five reuse cycles, the pollutant removal efficiency of the mycelial biochar composites remained above 69%, demonstrating excellent regenerative ability. This study not only produced biochar with superior adsorption properties but also highlighted microbial modification as an effective way to enhance lignocellulosic biochar performance, paving the way for further biomass development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, rice-husk-derived biochar (RBC) was synthesized by using simple one-step pyrolysis strategies and served as catalysts to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for degrading sulfamethoxazole (SMX). When the annealing temperature (T) = 800 °C, RBC800 exhibits the typical hardwood structure with several micropores and mesoporous. Furthermore, RBC800 obtains more defect sites than RBC600, RBC700, and RBC900. In the RBC800/PMS system, the removal rate of the SMX reached 92.0% under optimal conditions. The kinetic reaction rate constant (kobs) of the RBC800/PMS system was 0.009 min−1, which was about 1.50, 1.28, and 4.50 times that of the RBC600/PMS (kobs = 0.006 min−1), RBC700/PMS (kobs = 0.007 min−1), and RBC900/PMS (kobs = 0.002 min−1) systems, respectively. In the RBC800/PMS system, sulfate radical (SO4•−) is the main active species. Compared with other active sites, the hydroxyl group (C-OH) on the surface of RBC800 interacts more strongly with PMS, which is more likely to promote the stretching of the O-O bond of the PMS, thus breaking into the activated state and significantly reducing the activation energy required for reaction. The degradation intermediates of SMX were speculated, and the toxicity analysis was conducted. Generally, this work reveals in depth the interaction between reactive sites of biochar-based catalysts and PMS at the molecular level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Straw, a predominant agricultural residue, represents a significant waste product. Harnessing its potential is of paramount importance both in terms of research and economic value. In this study, chemically pretreated corn straw was infused with distinct microbial fungal mycelium variants and subsequently transformed into a series of biochars through a process involving carbonization and activation. The findings revealed enhancements in the specific surface area and total pore volume of mycelium-doped straw biochars compared to the original corn straw biochar (BCS). Additionally, discernible disparities were observed in their physical and chemical attributes, encompassing functional groups, surface chemistry, and micro-morphology. Notably, in water-based antibiotic removal experiments focusing on tetracycline hydrochloride (TH) and chloramphenicol (CP), the mycelium-doped straw biochars outperformed BCS. Their maximum adsorption capacities for TH and CP surpassed those of alternative adsorbents, including other biochars. Impressively, even after five cycles, the biochar exhibited a removal rate exceeding 80%, attesting to its robust stability. This study successfully emphasized the efficacy of incorporating fungal mycelium to enhance the adsorption properties of straw-based biochar, introducing a new theoretical basis for the development of lignocellulosic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, biocomposite materials were created by incorporating biochar (BC) at rates of 1, 2.5, and 5 wt.% into a poly(butylene succinate) (PBSu) matrix using a two-stage melt polycondensation procedure in order to provide understanding of the aging process. The biocomposites in film form were exposed to UV irradiation for 7, 14, and 21 days. Photostability was examined by several methods, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), which proved that new carbonyl and hydroxyl groups were formed during UV exposure. Moreover, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) measurements were employed to record the apparent UV effect in their crystalline morphology and thermal transitions. According to the molecular weight measurements of composites, it was apparent that by increasing the biochar content, the molecular weight decreased at a slower rate. Tensile strength tests were performed to evaluate the deterioration of their mechanical properties during UV exposure, while Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images illustrated the notable surface alternations. Cracks were formed at higher UV exposure times, to a lesser extent in PBSu/BC composites than in neat PBSu. Furthermore, the mechanism of the thermal degradation of neat PBSu and its biocomposites prior to and upon UV exposure was studied by Pyrolysis–Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (Py–GC/MS). From all the obtained results it was proved that biochar can be considered as an efficient UV-protective additive to PBSu, capable of mitigating photodegradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spent mushroom compost (SMC) is a waste byproduct generated by the mushroom industry, with the current disposal methods involving landfills or incineration, causing environmental problems. This study introduces a cascading valorization based on circular economy. A water-washing pretreatment is suggested to reduce the ash content and improve the calorific value. Furthermore, an oxidative torrefaction is proposed to enhance the physicochemical properties and evaluate the residence time, temperature, and initial weight effects. The investigation revealed that the calorific value increased by 49.46% in the best water washing scenario and the SMC contains laccase. During SMC torrefaction, mass and energy yields exceeded 80%, and the calorific value was improved. Finally, torrefaction in situ CO2 capture was achieved by forming CaCO3, with a mass fraction increase of up to 7.4%. The study describes the cascading innovation use of this residue on a TRL4 higher than previously reported studies, thereby contributing to gaining an understanding of sustainable industrial mushroom production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employs machine learning models to predict the adsorption characteristics of biochar-activated carbon derived from waste wood. Activated carbon is a high-performance adsorbent utilized in various fields such as air purification, water treatment, energy production, and storage. However, its characteristics vary depending on the activation conditions or raw materials, making explaining or predicting them challenging using physicochemical or mathematical methods. Therefore, using machine learning techniques to determine the adsorption characteristics of activated carbon in advance will provide economic and time benefits for activated carbon production. Datasets, consisting of 108 points, were used to predict the adsorption characteristics of biochar-activated carbon derived from waste wood. The input variables were the activation conditions, and the iodine number of activated carbon was used as the output variable. The datasets were randomly split into 75% for training and 25% for model validation and normalized by the min-max function. Four models, including artificial neural networks, random forests, extreme gradient boosting, and support vector machines, were used to predict the adsorption properties of biochar-activated carbon. After optimization, the artificial neural network model was identified as the best model, with the highest coefficient determination (0.96) and the lowest mean squared error (0.004017). As a result of the SHAP analysis, activation time was the most crucial variable influencing the adsorption properties. The machine learning model precisely predicts the adsorption characteristics of biochar-activated carbon and can optimize the activated carbon production process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the main bamboo species in coastal sandy land protection forests, Bambusa tuldoides 'Swolleninternode' can effectively improve the structure of forest tree species, increase the diversity of tree species and enhance the protection efficiency. However, research on the cultivation and utilization of B. tuldoides is still relatively scarce. Therefore, in this study, B. tuldoides was used as the research object. By applying biochar and nitrogen fertilizer, the effects of different biochar and nitrogen fertilizer ratios on the physiology and soil characteristics of bamboo were analyzed, and the optimal ratio scheme was identified. The results showed that the ratio of the T5 (A2B2C3) treatment had the best effect on the total chlorophyll, non-structural carbohydrate and nutrient contents of B. tuldoides leaves, and the contents under treatments was generally higher than under the control, CK. The activities of soil invertase, nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase were significantly increased under biochar treatment, and the effects of the T5 treatment were the best. The results of principal component analysis showed that the absolute values of the coefficient of leaf potassium, phosphorus content and soil total nitrogen were larger and more important, and the comprehensive evaluation of the T5 treatment was the highest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the characteristics of plug seedlings affect the effectiveness of automatic transplanting, this study aimed to explore the effect of the addition of biochar into substrates on the growth of plug seedlings before and after transplanting. The physicochemical properties of substrates with 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% biochar addition all met the requirements of seedling cultivation. The growth trend, root systems, and mechanical properties of seedlings before transplanting and the leaf gas exchange parameters of seedlings after transplanting were measured in this study. The results indicated that the seedlings cultivated with 10% biochar added to the substrate achieved the best growth trend and physiological indices, and the root systems under this treatment were also stronger than those of other treatments, while the seedlings cultivated with 25% biochar treatment were the worst, with less than 22.23% of the growth seen in the 10% biochar treatment, and even less than 1.5% of the growth of the seedlings cultivated without biochar treatment. Since the strong root systems could enhance the mechanical properties of seedling pots, the seedling pots cultivated with 10% biochar added into the substrate possessed the best compression resistance properties, with the maximum value of 49.52 N, and could maintain maximum completeness after free-fall impacting, wherein the loss of root and substrate was only 8.22%. The analysis results of seedlings cultivated after impacting proposed that the seedlings with better growth trends and root systems before transplanting could obtain better leaf gas exchange parameters during the flower stage after transplanting, so the seedlings cultivated with 5%~10% biochar added into the substrate grew better after impacting and then transplanting. It was noticed that the seedlings cultivated with appropriate biochar added into the substrate were able to achieve the optimal growth parameters and mechanical properties before and after transplanting, which were better able to meet the requirements of automatic transplanting. Thus, this study can promote the development of automatic transplanting technology to some extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greenhouse gas and NH3 emissions are exacerbated by the inappropriate timing and excessive application of nitrogen (N) fertilizers in wheat cultivation in China. In this study, the impacts on N2O, CO2, and NH3 emissions of a delayed and reduced N application regime on the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain were investigated. The treatments comprised the control (N0), conventional N at 270 kg N ha−1 (N270) and optimized N application of 180 kg N ha−1 (N180), N180 + biochar at 7.5 t ha−1 (N180B7.5), N180 + biochar at 15 t ha−1 (N180B15), N180 + DMPP (a nitrification inhibitor; N180D), N180D + biochar at 7.5 t ha−1 (N180DB7.5), and N180D + biochar at 15 t ha−1 (N180DB15). Reduced N application (N180) lowered N2O and NH3 emissions. Biochar application resulted in a 4–25% and 12–16% increase in N2O and NH3 emissions, respectively. Application of DMPP significantly decreased N2O emissions by 32% while concurrently inducing a 9% increase in NH3 emissions. Co-application of DMPP and biochar significantly reduced the activity of nitrification enzymes (HAD, NOO), resulting in a reduction of 37–38% in N2O emissions and 13–14% in NH3 emissions. No significant differences in CO2 emissions were observed among the various N treatments except the N0 treatment. Application of DMPP alone did not significantly affect grain yield. However, biochar, in combination with DMPP, effectively increases grain yield. The findings suggest that the N180DB15 treatment has the potential to reduce emissions of N2O and NH3 while concurrently enhancing soil fertility (pH, SOC) and wheat yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slow-release fertilizer is generally used in turfgrass management to maintain quality turf without inducing excess vertical growth, to avoid frequent mowing. This study was designed to verify whether kitchen waste digestate and digestate biochar could serve as slow-release fertilizers to promote turf quality and reduce nutrient leaching risk in two turfgrass species over two years in controlled pot experiments. The results showed that the nutrient release of granular fertilizers made from kitchen waste digestate and digestate biochar was a two-phase process (an initial rapid phase, followed by a slow-release phase). The kitchen waste digestate showed higher nitrogen and phosphorus release ratios than the biochar and sheep manure. Compared to the reference sheep manure, fertilization with kitchen waste digestate and biochar increased the leaf chlorophyll content by 48.6% and 27.9%, and reduced senescent leaves by 15.6% and 11.1%, respectively, at 23 d after fertilization, leading to higher turf quality. Fertilization with kitchen waste digestate biochar significantly reduced the nutrient leaching risk compared to fertilization with kitchen waste digestate and sheep manure. Our results demonstrated the potential of reusing kitchen waste digestate and digestate biochar as slow-release fertilizers for promoting turf quality in turfgrass management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis (Lour.) Rupr.) is rich in many vitamins and many minerals and is an important green vegetable in people's daily diet. Soil heavy metal Cd content exceeding safe values has a toxic effect on the growth of vegetables, which seriously affects human health. Biochar can effectively stabilize heavy metals in polluted soil, and phosphogypsum can improve the physical and chemical properties of soil and promote the growth of crops. To explore the remediation effect of biochar combined with different amounts of phosphogypsum on Cd-contaminated soil and the safe production of agricultural products, a pot experiment was conducted with corn straw biochar and harmless phosphogypsum as the test materials, and Chinese cabbage as the test plant. The soil pH; the alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen content; the available phosphorus, potassium, and Cd content in the soil; the fresh weight of the Chinese cabbage; the Cd content in the edible part of the Chinese cabbage; and the vitamin C, chlorophyll, and soluble sugar contents in the leaves were measured and analyzed. The results showed that among all the treatments, the T3 and T4 treatments were the most effective in enhancing the soil pH and soil available nutrient content. Compared with CK, the T3 and T4 treatments significantly enhanced the soil pH by 0.27 and 0.29 units, respectively, and significantly increased alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen content by 16.25% and 14.04%, available phosphorus content by 22.98% and 22.87%; and available potassium content by 8.50% and 10.13%. In addition, among all the treatments, the T3 treatment had the best effect on reducing the soil available Cd content and the Cd content in the edible part of the Chinese cabbage, which were significantly reduced by 17.05% and 49.35%, respectively, compared with CK, and the T3 treatment had the best effect on improving the yield and quality of the Chinese cabbage, significantly increasing the fresh weight of the Chinese cabbage by 31.86%, the soluble sugar level by 9.54%, the vitamin C level by 15.38%, and the chlorophyll level by 13.28%, compared with CK. In summary, 3000 kg/hm2 of biochar combined with 3000 kg/hm2 of phosphogypsum can significantly reduce the effectiveness of soil Cd, prevent the transfer of Cd to Chinese cabbage, reduce the ecological risk of Cd, and improve the yield and quality of Chinese cabbage. The results provide a theoretical basis for the safe production of agricultural products in Cd-contaminated soil and promote the recycling of resources for the benefit of the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar has been promoted mostly as a soil supplement that improves plant growth/yield and to a lesser extent as a growing medium component. The alarmed situation for peat substitution in growing medium renders biochar as a promising substitute for current research. In this study, biochar derived by wood-based materials was evaluated at different ratios (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% v/v) for peat partial substitution for Antirrhinum majus pot production. Biochar had increased potassium content and pH, which affected the growing media properties (total pores space and water filled capacity) and decreased nitrogen and phosphorus content in the media. Adding ≥15% biochar increased plant height and decreased flowering, but no effect was observed on plant biomass produced. The presence of biochar increased the total phenols and flavanols content and antioxidant capacity, with greater effects at the higher biochar rates used. This resulted in lipid peroxidation and an increase in hydrogen peroxide content, causing oxidative stress. Potassium and magnesium accumulated more but nitrogen and phosphorus were accumulated less in snapdragon leaves. Biochar at 10% can be considered as a successful candidate to partially substitute peat, and efforts to improve growing media characteristics are required for A. majus pot production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unscientific disposal of agricultural solid waste introduces more antibiotics and other pollutants into the environment. Composting, as an environmentally friendly solid waste disposal method, can be used as a green way to degrade antibiotics, and conditioners can regulate the physicochemical indicators of the composting process. This article investigates the removal mechanism of tetracycline antibiotics (TCs) during the composting process by adding different regulators (biochar, zeolite, and biochar + zeolite). The results showed that the conditioning agent could significantly improve the removal efficiency and removal rate of TCs in compost. Among them, the addition of the zeolite group had the highest degradation rate of TCs, which were 91.39% (Tetracycline), 97.18% (Chlortetracycline), and 95.68% (Oxytetracycline). The combination of biochar and zeolite conditioning agents effectively minimized the migration of TCs into the soil. According to the findings of the artificial neural network model, it was determined that TCs exhibited the highest sensitivity to biochar + zeolite modulators at 31.28%. Conditioners influenced the removal of TCs in compost by impacting their physicochemical properties and microbial community structure. We isolated and domesticated a suitable microbial preparation that promotes the degradation of TCs, including Acinetobacter pittii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Lactobacillus reuteri, Pseudomonas putida, and Trichosporon dohaense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the pyrolytic decomposition of apple and potato peel waste using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In addition, using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), the influence of pyrolysis temperature on the physicochemical characteristics and structural properties of biochar was studied. The degradation of biomass samples was studied between 25 °C and 800 °C. Although apple and potato peel decomposition present similar thermogravimetric profiles, there are some differences that can be evidenced from DTG curves. Potato peel showed one degradation peak in the range 205–375 °C with 50% weight loss; meanwhile, the apple peel exhibited two stages: one with a maximum at around 220 °C and about 38% weight loss caused by degradation of simple carbohydrates and a second peak between 280 °C and 380 °C with a maximum at 330 °C, having a weight loss of approximately 24%, attributed to cellulose degradation. To gain more insight into the phenomena involved in biomass conversion, the kinetics of the reaction were analyzed using thermal data collected in non-isothermal conditions with a constant heating rate of 5, 10, 20, or 30 °C /min. The kinetic analysis for each decomposed biomass (apple and potato) was carried out based on single-step and multi-step type techniques by combining the Arrhenius form of the decomposition rate constant with the mass action law. The multi-step approaches provided further insight into the degradation mechanisms for the whole range of the decomposition temperatures. The effect of temperature on biomass waste structure showed that the surface morphologies and surface functional groups of both samples are influenced by the pyrolysis temperature. A higher pyrolysis temperature of 800 °C results in the disappearance of the bands characteristic of the hydroxyl, aliphatic, ether, and ester functional groups, characteristic of a porous surface with increased adsorption capacity. Therefore, this study concludes that biomass waste samples (apple and potato) can produce high yields of biochar and are a potential ecological basis for a sustainable approach. The preliminary adsorption tests show a reasonably good nitrate removal capacity for our biochar samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple and low-cost flame curtain ("Kon-Tiki") kilns are currently the preferred biochar technology for smallholder farmers in the tropics. While gas and aerosol emissions have been documented for woody feedstocks (twigs and leaves) with varying moisture contents, there is a lack of data on emissions from other types of feedstocks. This study aims to document the gas and aerosol emissions for common non-woody feedstocks and to compare emissions from finely grained, high-lignin feedstock (coffee husk) with those from coarser, low-lignin feedstocks (maize cobs, grass, sesame stems). Throughout each pyrolysis cycle, all carbon-containing gases and NOx were monitored using hand-held sensitive instruments equipped with internal pumps. Carbon balances were used to establish emission factors in grams per kilogram of biochar. The resulting methane emissions were nearly zero (<5.5 g/kg biochar) for the pyrolysis of three dry (~10% moisture) maize cobs, grass, and a 1:1 mixture of grass and woody twigs. For sesame stems, methane was detected in only two distinct spikes during the pyrolysis cycle. Carbon monoxide (CO) and aerosol (Total Suspended Particles, TSP) emissions were recorded at levels similar to earlier data for dry twigs, while nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions were negligible. In contrast, the pyrolysis of finely grained coffee husks generated significant methane and aerosol emissions, indicating that technologies other than flame curtain kilns are more suitable for finely grained feedstocks. The emission results from this study suggest that certification of biochar made from dry maize, sesame, and grass biomass using low-tech pyrolysis should be encouraged. Meanwhile, more advanced systems with syngas combustion are needed to sufficiently reduce CO, CH4, and aerosol emissions for the pyrolysis of finely grained biomasses such as rice, coffee, and nut husks. The reported data should aid overarching life-cycle analyses of the integration of biochar practice in climate-smart agriculture and facilitate carbon credit certification for tropical smallholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitigating the irreversible consequences of climate change necessitates the application of sustainable energy resources. Hereby, we investigated the biological anaerobic fermentation of Azolla filiculoides biomass for biohydrogen production as a clean renewable energy source. Azolla filiculoides is a widely growing aquatic plant in polluted freshwater streams. However, the high non-biodegradable organic matter content in Azolla filiculoides biomass remains challenging in efficiently producing renewable energy, especially when it is being used as the sole donor substrate. In order to overcome this challenge, different pretreatment scenarios (namely, alkali, autoclaving, and ultrasonication) have been employed for enhancing the hydrolysis of Azolla filiculoides biomass to maximize the anaerobic fermentation and, consequently, the biohydrogen production potential. The biohydrogen production potential was 250.5, 398, 414.5, and 439.5 mL-H2, giving a hydrogen yield of 60.1, 89.6, 92.9, and 107.9 mL-H2/g-VS, respectively. Gompertz kinetics were applied to estimate the growth parameters of the process, which revealed a good fit with R2 ranging from 0.96 to 0.98. The produced digestate was valorized for biochar production, a material that could be applied for water treatment purposes. The produced biochar was characterized using different physical analyses, including FTIR, SEM, EDX, and TEM. The physicochemical characterizations of biochar demonstrate a successful formation of biochar with a highly porous structure and a rough surface, as evidenced by the emergence of significant functional groups (e.g., O-H, C-H, C=C, and C=O) existing on the surface of the biochar. In conclusion, this study harnesses a sustainable approach for the treatment of organic waste streams, which represents a circular economy model by transforming waste materials into valuable products and reducing the reliance on non-renewable resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amendment significantly improves soil structure and promotes crop growth. To combat soil degradation and low crop yields in facility agriculture, it is crucial to study the optimal application rate of amendments. This study analyzed the effects of biochar, vermicompost, and mineral-source potassium fulvic acid on the stability of aggregate structure, soil nutrient content, and tomato yield in cambisols, providing a theoretical basis for improving the soil quality of plastic greenhouses in Southern China. A pot experiment on tomato cultivation was carried out in yellow-brown soil in plastic greenhouses. The experiment included eight treatments: 1% biochar (B1); 3% biochar (B3); 5% biochar (B5); 3% vermicompost (V3); 5% vermicompost (V5); 0.1% mineral-source potassium fulvic acid (F1); 0.2% mineral-source potassium fulvic acid (F2); and the control condition without adding soil amendments (CK). The results showed that the biochar and vermicompost treatments effectively reduced soil bulk density and increased total soil porosity. Compared to the control, treatments with soil amendments significantly increased soil pH and had different effects on soil nutrients: F2 showed the most significant improvement in the content of available nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium, with an increase of 133.33%, 834.59%, and 74.34%, respectively; B3 treatment had the highest increase in dissolved organic carbon (DOC), while B5 treatment had the highest organic matter content. Compared to the CK, the particle size of the biochar treatment was mainly 0.053~0.25 mm, while the V3, F1, and F2 mainly occurred with a particle size > 0.25 mm; and V3 has the best aggregate stability. Biochar, vermicompost, and mineral potassium fulvic acid can all promote tomato yield, with the F2 and V3 treatments having a yield increase effect of over 30%. Furthermore, Pearson's correlation analysis showed a highly significant positive correlation between geometric mean diameter (GMD) and mean weight diameter (MWD), water-stable macroaggregate content (R0.25), and a positive correlation between alkaline-dissolved nitrogen, available phosphorus, dissolved organic carbon content, and aggregate stability indicators. Adding 0.2% mineral-source potassium fulvic acid optimizes cambisols' properties, enhances aggregate formation and stability, boosts tomato yield, and shows great application potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential benefits of biochar, a carbon-rich substance derived from biomass, for enhancing agricultural yield and soil health have drawn increasing interest. Nevertheless, owing to the lack of specialized studies, the role of its poly-spatial structure in the success of fostering plant growth remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the effects of various biochar pore shapes on tobacco growth and the underlying microbiological processes. Three pyrolysis temperatures (250 °C, 400 °C, and 550 °C) were used to produce biochar from tobacco stems, resulting in different pore structures (T3 > T2 > T1). We then used BET-specific surface area (BET), t.Plot micropore specific surface area (t.Plot), mesopore specific surface area (MSSA), specific pore volume (SPV), average pore size (AP), and mesopore pore volume (MPV) measurements to evaluate the effects of these biochars on tobacco growth and biomass accumulation, and microbial analyses were performed to investigate the underlying mechanisms. When applied to plants, biochar increased their growth compared to untreated controls. The most notable improvement in tobacco growth was observed in the biochar produced at 400 °C (T3), which possessed the largest and most advantageous pore structure among all treatments. Further studies demonstrated that biochars with greater specific surface areas (BET, t.Plot, and MSSA) positively altered the abundance of key microbial taxa (e.g., Stenotrophobacter, Ensifer, Claroideoglomus) and community composition, thereby encouraging plant development and biomass accumulation. Conversely, greater pore volumes (SPV, AP, and MPV) inhibited microbial activity and significantly affected growth and biomass accumulation. Structural equation modeling further demonstrated that the pore structure of biochar greatly affected plant growth by changing the relative abundance and community composition of soil microbes. Maximizing the benefits of biochar in stimulating plant growth and improving soil microbial communities depends on optimizing the material's pore structure, particularly by increasing the specific surface area. These findings will help expand the use of biochar in sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Far infrared radiation (FIR) within the wavelength range of 4–14 μm can offer human health benefits, such as improving blood flow. Therefore, additives that emit far infrared radiation have the potential to be incorporated into polymer/fabric matrices to develop textiles that could promote health. In this study, biochar derived from candlenuts and pyrolyzed with activated carbon (AC) was incorporated into polypropylene (PP) films and investigated for its potential as a health-promoting textile additive. The properties of biochar were compared with other far infrared (FIR) emitting additives such as hematite, Indian red ochre, and graphene. The addition of biochar increased FIR emissivity to 0.90, which is 9% higher than that of pristine PP. Additionally, biochar enhanced UV and near-infrared (NIR) blocking capabilities, achieving an ultra-protection factor (UPF) of 91.41 and NIR shielding of 95.85%. Incorporating 2 wt% biochar resulted in a 3.3-fold higher temperature increase compared to pristine PP after 30 s of exposure to an FIR source, demonstrating improved heat retention. Furthermore, the ability to achieve the lowest thermal effusivity among other additives supports the potential use of biochar-incorporated fabric as a warming material in cold climates. The tensile properties of PP films with biochar were superior to those with other additives, potentially contributing to a longer product lifespan. Additionally, samples with red ochre exhibited the highest FIR emissivity, while samples with hematite showed the highest capacity for UV shielding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, several materials are presented as modifiers of the screen-printed carbon electrodes with the aim of developing new sensing platforms for the voltammetric analysis of drugs. Specifically, Clotiapine and Sulfamethoxazole were selected as models for antipsychotics and antibiotics, respectively. Different nanostructures were studied as modifiers, including both transition metals and carbon-based materials. Moreover, biochar and two metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were tested as well. The NH2-MIL-125(Ti) MOF showed an 80% improvement in the analytical signal of Sulfamethoxazole, but it partially overlapped with an additional signal associated with the loss of the MOF ligand. For this reason, several immobilization strategies were tested, but none of them met the requirements for the development of a sensor for this analyte. Conversely, carbon nanotubes and the NH2-MIL-101(Fe) MOF were successfully applied for the analysis of Clotiapine in the medicine Etumine®, with RSD below 2% and relative errors that did not exceed 9% in any case, which demonstrates the precision and accuracy achieved with the tested modifications. Despite these promising results, it was not possible to lower the limits of detection and quantification, so in this sense further investigation must be performed to increase the sensitivity of the developed sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various green materials like biochar and Fe0 (nano-scale zerovalent iron, nZVI) have been applied to remediate aqueous Cr(VI) contamination, but few studies have tried to further improve the performance of nZVI and/or biochar composites with different sulfidation methods. Here, we modified a hybrid material of nZVI@biochar with Na2S and pyrite (FeS2), applied it to remove aqueous Cr(VI) under different experimental conditions, and revealed key factors influencing Cr(VI) removal performance. The results show that pyrite loading is an effective sulfidation method to increase the Fe and S contents in composites. FeSx-nZVI@BC (1:1) had a Cr(VI) removal efficiency of ~95% with 5 mg/L Cr(VI) loaded, which was much higher than other hybrid composites. The Cr(VI) removal efficiency of FeSx-nZVI@BC showed a decreasing trend under pH conditions that increased from pH 3 to pH 9. The presence of dissolved oxygen and aqueous Cu2+ and Cd2+ could significantly suppress the removal of aqueous Cr(VI), while humic acids at different concentrations did not suppress Cr(VI) removal. After the reaction, it was observed with an energy-dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS) that most Cr in the solid phase was closely associated with pyrite minerals. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra, together with the Fe2+-quenching method, confirmed that Fe (Fe2+ or Fe0) acted as the main electron donor, contributing to ~90% of the Cr(VI) reduction. Our study indicates that pyrite loading could further improve the performance of remediation materials and that the pyrite-loaded nZVI@BC composite is a green material with strong potential to be applied in the remediation of water contaminated by Cr(VI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollution poses significant risks to human health and ecosystems, necessitating costly and time-consuming remediation efforts. Consequently, there's a growing interest among researchers in developing and utilizing next-generation materials. Carbon-based materials have emerged as promising candidates due to their environmentally friendly nature, although their application presents both positive and negative aspects, as evidenced by existing literature. A diverse range of low-cost carbonaceous sorbents, like biochars, have been investigated for their suitability in water treatment. Given the substantial volume of agricultural waste biomass generated globally, the cost-effective production of these materials from residual biomass holds promise for addressing additional environmental challenges, such as biomass waste management. Various biochars derived from corn, hemp, and straw were studied to evaluate the adsorption potential for removing a commonly used organic UV filter 3-(4′-methylbenzylidene)-camphor (4-MBC). The adsorption isotherms obtained were well-described by the Freundlich model, with nonlinearity values below 0.9. Generally, all investigated adsorbents exhibited a higher affinity for 4-MBC, underscoring the importance of such research in identifying safe adsorbents for water remediation purposes. Moreover, this paper also tackles the interactions between 4-MBC and microplastics as polymer carbon-based materials, indicating the highest adsorption capacity of polyethylene terephthalate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of biochar can effectively enhance soil organic matter (SOM) and improve soil structure. Biomass power plant ash (BPPA) is also rich in essential nutrients for plants, with similar carbon content. Considering production cost and agricultural waste recycling, it is beneficial to apply BPPA to improve soil fertility and quality. However, it remains unclear whether its ameliorative effects surpass those of biochar in alkaline soils. In the study, we set up seven pot experiments of faba beans in sandy alkaline soils from the ancient region of the Yellow River, including the controls (CK), different amounts of acid-modified BPPA (A1, A2, A3), and the same amounts of acid-modified biochar (B1, B2, B3), to compare their effects on soil physiochemical properties and bacterial community structure. The results indicate that the application of both biochar and BPPA can improve soil physiochemical properties. At the same dosage, the biochar application outperformed BPPA treatment in terms of soil physical properties such as bulk density (BD), maximum water-holding capacity (FC), and soil capillary porosity (SP2). Conversely, BPPA treatment displayed advantages in chemical properties such as readily oxidizable organic carbon (ROOC), total nitrogen (TN), alkaline nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK), and electrical conductivity (EC). All the treatments enhanced the richness and diversity of bacterial communities, increasing the relative abundance of eutrophic groups such as Bacteroidota and Firmicutes while decreasing that of oligotrophic groups like Actinobacteriota. BPPA also increased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, while the opposite was observed for biochar. Correlation analysis showed that the environmental factors such as soil pH, EC, TN, AK, SOM, and SP2 emerged as primary factors influencing the bacterial community structure of alkaline soils, significantly affecting their diversity and abundance. Among them, SP2 and SOM were the dominant physical and chemical factors, respectively. Overall, the application of both acid-modified BPPA and biochar can enhance the physiochemical properties of sandy alkaline soils, while the application of BPPA is superior for improving soil nutrient content and enhancing bacterial community structure. The study explores the potential mechanisms through which the application of acid-modified BPPA affects soil characteristics and microbial features, providing new insight into developing optimizing fertilization strategies for enhancing soil quality in the ancient region of the Yellow River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lasting impact of ancestral energy production operations and global manufacturing has not only generated substantial CO2 emissions, but it has also led to the release of metal-based pollutants into Earth's water bodies. As we continue to engineer, mine (coal and metals), and now bore into geothermal wells/fracking sites for alternative energy sources, we continue to contaminate drinking water supplies with heavy metals through infiltration and diffusion, limiting progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good health and well-being), 6 (Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation), 14 (Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life below water), and 15 (Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on land). This review shows how the research community has designed and developed mesoporous biochars with customizable pore systems, as well as functionalized biochars, to extract various heavy metals from water sources. This article investigates how biochar materials (non-activated, activated, functionalized, or hybrid structures) can be adapted to suit their purpose, highlighting their recyclability/regeneration and performance when remediating metal-based pollution in place of conventional activated carbons. By utilizing the wider circular economy, "waste-derived" carbonaceous materials will play a pivotal role in water purification for both the developed/developing world, where mining and heavy manufacturing generate the most substantial contribution to water pollution. This review encompasses a wide range of global activities that generate increased heavy metal contamination to water supplies, as well as elucidates emerging technologies that can augment environmental remediation activities, improving the quality of life and standard of living for all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-year pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of the combined application of biochar and chemical fertilizer on soil quality and vegetable growth by adding different proportions of chemical fertilizer and biochar to the soil in 2022 and no fertilizer in 2023. It was concluded that the combined treatment improved the soil's properties. After two consecutive years of planting vegetables, the improvement of soil properties was the most significant with the 1.5 g biochar + 80% chemical fertilizer optimal fertilizer application (BCF6) treatment. In comparison to the control (CK), soil pH, electrical conductivity, and dissolved organic carbon increased by 0.59 units, 166.6%, and 282.6%, respectively. Soil fertility also improved significantly, indicating that the combined treatments resulted in the slow release of nutrients to enhance the effectiveness of the fertilizers. Co-application significantly increased the yield of the edible parts of Chinese cabbage and improved its quality. The most significant effects of vitamin C content and soluble protein were observed in Chinese cabbage under BCF6 treatment, which were 3.33 and 1.42 times more than the CK, respectively. Utilizing biochar as a partial substitute for chemical fertilizers can improve soil structure and fertility over the long term while reducing the reliance on chemical fertilizers, ultimately providing sustained economic and ecological benefits for agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we report the preparation of nanocomposites using activated biochar derived from rice husk (RHBC) by doping with a metal–organic framework, namely the zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8). The morphological and structural characterization of the prepared nanocomposite was performed using SEM, BET, XRD, FTIR, TGA, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The average particle sizes as observed from SEM micrographs for ZIF-8 and ZIF-8@RHBC were 67 nm and 78 nm, respectively. The BET surface analysis of the ZIF-8@RHBC composite showed a value of 308 m2/g and a pore diameter of about 42.56 A°. The inclusion of RHBC in ZIF-8 resulted in a 4% increase in the optical band gap and a 5% increase in the optical conductivity. The electrochemical properties of this nanocomposite were investigated through cyclic voltammetry, and it was observed that ZIF-8@RHBC showed improved CV curves in comparison to bare ZIF-8. The specific capacitance of ZIF-8@RHBC was significantly enhanced from 348 F/g to 452 F/g at a 1 A/g current density after incorporating ZIF-8 into the RHBC matrix. The formation of a mesoporous structure in the ZIF-8@RHBC composite contributed to the improved diffusion rate at the electrode surface, resulting in excellent electrochemical features in the composite. Furthermore, the EIS studies confirmed the reduced charge transfer resistance and increased conduction at the electrode surface in the case of the ZIF-8@RHBC composite. Owing to the ease of its green synthesis and its excellent structural and morphological features and optical and electrochemical properties, this ZIF@RHBC nanocomposite could represent a novel multifunctional material to be used in optoelectronics and energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Percarbonate (SPC) as a promising substitute for liquid H2O2 has many advantages in the application of in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO). Developing efficient, cost effective and environmentally friendly catalysts for SPC activation plays the key role in promoting the development of SPC-based ISCO. Herein, the walnut shell biomass was combined with ferric nitrate for the catalytic synthesis of Fe3C@biochar composite (Fe3C@WSB), which demonstrated high efficiency in activating SPC for the removal of diclofenac (DCF). The Fe3C showed average crystallite size of 32.6 nm and the composite Fe3C@WSB demonstrated strong adsorptivity. The prepared Fe3C@WSB could activate both SPC and H2O2 with high efficiency at ca. pH 3 with extremely low leaching of iron, while in a weak acidic condition, higher efficiency of DCF removal was obtained in the Fe3C@WSB/SPC process than in the Fe3C@WSB/H2O2 process. Moreover, the Fe3C@WSB/SPC and Fe3C@WSB/H2O2 processes did not show significant differences when supplied with varying amounts of catalyst or oxidant, but the Fe3C@WSB/SPC process exhibited stronger capability in dealing with relatively highly concentrated DCF solution. Based on quenching experiments and electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis, heterogeneous activation of SPC was assumed as the dominant route for DCF degradation, and both the oxidation by radicals, including •OH, •O2− and CO3•−, combined with electron transfer pathway contributed to DCF degradation in the Fe3C@WSB/SPC process. The cycling experiment results also revealed the stability of Fe3C@WSB. This work may cast some light on the development of efficient catalysts for the activation of SPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to explore the possibilities of increasing the hydrophilicity of carbon-based adsorbents, catalysts, or electrode materials in aqueous solutions, the oxidation of wood-based activated biochar using H2O2 was investigated. The properties of oxidized activated biochar obtained at different activation temperatures (600, 700, and 800 °C) and H2O2 oxidized for 15–180 min were investigated using the characteristics of surface functionality, elemental composition, porous structure, contact angle measurements, FTIR spectroscopy, and immersion calorimetry. It was observed that the optimal oxidation time was different for each sample depending on activation temperature, and the degree of oxidation can be tailored by changing the oxidation time. The course of oxidation depends on the degree of graphitization and functionalization, determined by the activation temperature. It was established that the highest degree of oxidation and increase in wettability is observed for samples with the lowest degree of activation obtained at a temperature of 600 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While numerous studies have examined the effects of direct and carbonized straw return on soil fertility, most focus on short-term impacts. Long-term research is needed to understand how these practices affect soil fertility and organic carbon transformation, providing guidance for the use of straw and biochar in agriculture. This study examined the long-term effects of corn straw (CS), straw biochar (BIO), and biochar-based fertilizer (BF) applied over 5, 10, and 15 years on soil aggregates, organic carbon, and humus composition in a peanut field microplot experiment. Using pig manure compost (PMC) as a control, we assessed soil water-stable aggregate distribution, carbon content in soil and aggregates, and organic carbon's infrared spectral characteristics. The goal was to understand how different straw utilization methods impact soil carbon retention and humus composition for sustainable agricultural practices. The results showed that the straw biochar (BIO) had a significantly better long-term effect on increasing the proportion and stability of large soil aggregates compared to direct straw return (CS) and biochar-based fertilizer (BF). After ten years of continuous fertilization, the organic carbon content in soils treated with BIO was higher than that in soils treated with CS. After fifteen years of continuous fertilization, the organic carbon content in soils treated with BF was similar to that of the CS treatment. Additionally, humus carbon primarily accumulated in the 2–0.25 mm aggregates (SMA), and the BIO treatment significantly improved the quality of soil humus. FTIR spectra indicated that the long-term application of BIO and BF increased the proportion of aromatic carbon in the soil, enhancing the stability of soil organic carbon. Long-term application of carbonized straw returns improved soil organic carbon, aggregate stability, and humus quality, contributing to carbon sequestration. Fertilization duration directly and indirectly regulated humus formation through its impact on organic carbon and aggregates, while organic materials influenced humus indirectly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar is a carbon-rich material that has recently received attention due to its increasing agronomical potential. The agricultural utilization of biochar relates to its potential to act in the soil as a soil conditioner; nevertheless, complex information on the direct dependence of biochar's physical properties (texture, particle size) and corresponding leaching and availability of organic molecules (e.g., the polycyclic and heterocyclic organic compounds) and inorganic mineral salts (based on micro- and macroelements) is still inconsistent. Multi-elemental analysis by using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) was used to assess the information on the contents and availability of macro- and microelements in studied commercial biochar samples. The results showed a statistically significant indirect relation between an increase in the size fraction of biochar and the content of aqueous-extractable K and Na and the direct relation with the aqueous-extractable Ca, Mg, and P. Compared to the macroelements, the detected contents of aqueous-extractable microelements were almost three orders lower, and the dependence on fraction size was not consistent or statistically significant. In addition, gas chromatography (GC) coupled with mass spectroscopy (MS) was further used to reveal the concentrations of available polycyclic aromatic and heterocyclic compounds in biochar samples. The detected concentrations of these types of organic compounds were far below the certified limits, and a statistically significant indirect correlation with particle size was also observed for all the studied biochar samples. The proposed methodological concept could provide the necessary insights into the description of biochar mineral content and its connection to biochar texture, the physicochemical properties, and the potential of biochar to release nutrients into the soil. These findings could help in the further assessment of biochar as a soil conditioner in modern agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) pollution in soil has become a huge problem for agricultural production in China and even the world. Passivation and phytoremediation are two important remediation technologies for Cd pollution. In this study, the cadmium-contaminated and phosphorus-poor farmland soil around a mining area in Huainan was taken as the research object, and the remediation effect of biochar and phosphorus-containing materials on soil cadmium pollution was discussed. The results showed that the combined application of biochar and phosphorus-containing materials significantly reduced the pH of non-rhizosphere soil and rhizosphere soil, and increased the content of soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The combined application of biochar and phosphorus-containing materials significantly reduced soil pore water Cd and soil available Cd. In addition, both a single application of biochar and synergistic application of biochar and phosphorus-containing materials significantly increased the biomass of aboveground and underground parts of amaranth and soil urease and catalase activities. Phosphorus application reduced the bioavailability of Cd in soil. With the increase in phosphorus application, the content of available Cd in soil decreased significantly, and there was a certain negative correlation between Cd content and phosphorus content in plants. The abundance of beneficial microorganisms such as Ochrobactrum, Anaerolinea, Achromobacter, and Cellvibrio in soil was significantly increased after the synergistic application of biochar and phosphorus-containing materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In drylands, where the annual precipitation is low and erratic, improving the water storage capacity and the available water in the soil is crucial for crop production. To explore the effect of long-term agronomic management on water storage capacity and available water in the soil, four agronomic management systems were used (including the farmer's management model (FM), the high nitrogen input model (HN), the manure amendment model (MM), and the biochar amendment model (BM)) for eight consecutive years, and the variation in wheat yield and soil hydraulic, physical, and chemical properties in the 0–100 cm soil profile were investigated. The management practices varied in terms of seeding rates, nitrogen (N)-application strategies, and the application of manure or biochar. The results showed that, under the manure amendment model (MM), the wheat yield was increased by 17–35%, and the water-use efficiency was increased by 14–29% when compared to the farmer's management model (FM) and the high nitrogen input model (HN). However, no significant differences in wheat yield and water-use efficiency were found under the biochar amendment model (BM) compared to the HN. The high yield and water-use efficiency under the MM were mainly due to the higher saturated hydraulic conductivity, soil saturated water content, field capacity, and soil available water content, which led to an increase in the available water storage in the 0–100 cm soil profile by 29–48 mm. Furthermore, the MM also improved soil organic matter, porosity, root length density, and root weight density and reduced the soil bulk density, which are beneficial for the improvement of the above soil hydraulic properties. Therefore, it is a practical way to ensure high yield and high efficiency of crops in dryland by improving water storage capacity and the available water in the soil, which can be profoundly regulated by agronomic management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural soil is the main source of greenhouse gas emissions, among which carbon dioxide (CO2) is an important greenhouse gas, impacting the global climate. In China, as a large rice-producing country, carbon sequestration and CO2 mitigation in paddy soil are crucial for the mitigation of global climate change. While biochar has been widely used in the mitigation of soil greenhouse gas emissions, the application site of biochar, i.e., whether or not it is the same as its feedstocks, may generate different effects on soil CO2 emissions due to the differences in the element and nutrient concentrations in its feedstocks, especially when applied in fertilized soil. In order to explore the effects of biochar application with different feedstocks on the mitigation of CO2 emissions from paddy soil, this experiment took paddy soil in a red soil area as the research object, using rice straw and Camellia oleifera fruit shell as raw materials to produce biochar (adding an amount of 40 g kg−1 soil) and urea as an external nitrogen source (adding an amount of 200 mg kg−1 soil). The effects of two different types of biochar derived from feedstocks with different producing origins on the CO2 emissions from paddy soil were studied via laboratory control incubation studies. The results showed that (1) the effects of rice straw biochar addition on the soil pH, NO3−-N and total available nitrogen (AN) content were significantly higher than those of Camellia oleifera fruit shell biochar (the scale of the increase was higher by 6.40%, 579.7% and 180.1%, respectively). (2) The CO2 emission rate and cumulative emissions of soil supplemented with rice straw biochar were significantly lower than in that supplemented with Camellia oleifera fruit shell biochar (decreases of 28.0% and 27.5%, respectively). Our findings suggest that the efficiency of emission mitigation of rice straw biochar is better than that of Camellia oleifera fruit shell applied to paddy soil. While future studies considering more types of greenhouse gases will be necessary to expand these findings, this study indicates that biochar prepared from in situ feedstock can be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in rice fields, so as to ensure sustainable development and achieve energy conservation and emission reduction goals. This study will benefit future agricultural practices when choosing biochar as a greenhouse gas mitigation strategy in the context of global warming, as well as other global changes following global warming, caused by elevated atmospheric greenhouse gases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a highly toxic carcinogen severely harmful to humans and animals. This study fabricated SDB-6-K-9@TiO2 composites via the hydrothermal synthesis method to reduce AFB1. The structural characterization results of the photocatalytic composites showed that TiO2 was successfully loaded onto SDB-6-K-9. The different photocatalytic degradation conditions, photocatalyst kinetics, recycling performance, and photocatalytic degradation mechanism were investigated. Photocatalysis with 6 mg of 4%SDB-6-K-9@TiO2 in a 100 μg/mL AFB1 solution presented a reduction of over 95%, exhibiting excellent performance, high stability, and reusability even after five cycles of photocatalytic experiments. Active species trapping experiments confirmed that holes (h+) played the most critical role. After structural analysis and identification of the photocatalytic degradation products, the photodegradation path and photocatalytic oxidation mechanism of 4%SDB-6-K-9@TiO2 were postulated. The results show a new way to improve TiO2's photocatalytic performance, providing a certain theoretical basis for the effective AFB1 reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]