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One-step carbonization was explored to prepare biochar using the residue of a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, Atropa belladonna L. (ABL), as the raw material. The resulting biochar, known as ABLB4, was evaluated for its potential as a sustainable material for norfloxacin (NOR) adsorption in water. Subsequently, a comprehensive analysis of adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamics was conducted through batch adsorption experiments. The maximum calculated NOR adsorption capacity was 252.0 mg/g at 298 K, and the spontaneous and exothermic adsorption of NOR on ABLB4 could be better suited to a pseudo-first-order kinetic model and Langmuir model. The adsorption process observed is influenced by pore diffusion, π–π interaction, electrostatic interaction, and hydrogen bonding between ABLB4 and NOR molecules. Moreover, the utilization of response surface modeling (RSM) facilitated the optimization of the removal efficiency of NOR, yielding a maximum removal rate of 97.4% at a temperature of 304.8 K, an initial concentration of 67.1 mg/L, and a pH of 7.4. Furthermore, the biochar demonstrated favorable economic advantages, with a payback of 852.5 USD/t. More importantly, even after undergoing five cycles, ABLB4 exhibited a consistently high NOR removal rate, indicating its significant potential for application in NOR adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been an ongoing discussion about whether using functionalized biochar nanoparticles for pollutant removal is practical. The existing uncertainty surrounding functionalized biochar nanoparticles raises questions regarding their effectiveness in unraveling this problem. In this study, functionalized biochar nanoparticles were produced from corn (Zea mays L.) residues and Conocarpus erectus L. wood at 400°C and 700°C using the H2SO4/HNO3 treatment. The synthesized nanoparticles were used to explore their sorption properties for Pb2+. Various adsorption kinetic and isotherm models were evaluated using linear and nonlinear regression techniques. The functionalized biochar nanoparticles originated from wood at 400°C had the largest (80.74 mg g−1) Pb2+ adsorption capacity due to their highest O/C and the most negative zeta potential. In comparison, nanoparticles fabricated from corn residues at 700°C showed the lowest (70.47 mg g−1) Pb2+ adsorption capacity. Pyrolysis temperature affected the sorption process. Functionalized biochar nanoparticles produced at 400°C were more successful in sorbing the pollutant than those fabricated at 700°C. Linear and nonlinear pseudo‐second‐order kinetic models described Pb2+ adsorption kinetics well, indicating the rate‐controlling step. The nonlinear Freundlich model described the equilibrium relationship between adsorbate concentration and capacity, elucidating adsorption site heterogeneity and biochar nanoparticles' affinity for Pb2+. Our study shows that functionalized biochar nanoparticles could help develop procedures for remediating polluted environments. Core Ideas: Pyrolysis temperature had a notable effect on Pb2+ removal using functionalized biochar nanoparticles.Functionalized biochar nanoparticles derived from wood at 400°C had the highest ability to adsorb Pb2+.A 30‐min equilibrium demonstrates rapid Pb2+ kinetics.Nonlinear regression accurately determined model parameters.Functionalized biochar nanoparticles derived from corn residues at 400°C excel in cost‐efficient Pb2+ removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manganese (Mn) oxide‐coated sand has been suggested as an amendment for scrubbing metals in water filtration beds and also as a less concentrated medium for uniformly amending soils with Mn oxides in mesocosm scale studies. Earlier work at the lab bench scale, using potassium permanganate (KMnO4) solutions that were reduced with sodium (Na) lactate, resulted in sands coated with about 0.13% Mn. The goal of this project was to increase the amount of Mn oxide that could be coated on sand to make it a more useful amendment and also to attempt to scale up the procedure to produce larger (kg) quantities of coated sand. Titration experiments examined the effects of (1) varying the molar ratio of Na lactate to KMnO4, (2) varying the rate at which the titration was accomplished, and (3) varying the concentration (molarity) of the original KMnO4 solution. The results of this work led to an optimal approach utilizing 0.32 M KMnO4 solution that was titrated to a final lactate:permanganate ratio of ∼1.1 with 10% of the lactate being added every 10 min while the suspension was being stirred. The proportion of sand to an initial solution was also increased 5–20 fold to between 50 and 200 g per 100 mL of solution. Applying this method and using a large 20‐ to 30‐L reaction vessel yields sands coated with up to 0.7% Mn in batches 5–10 kg is size, which could be useful as an amendment in mesocosm scale studies, or as a component of treatment filter beds. The examination of various size fractions of the coated sands demonstrated that more Mn was coated on finer sand fractions, which appears to be a function of the particle surface area available for the coating of Mn oxides, and at a rate of 0.3–0.5 µg Mn mm−2 of the particle surface. Core Ideas: Manganese (Mn) oxide‐coated sands (MCS) can be synthesized with much higher Mn content (up to 0.5%–0.7% Mn).MSC can be produced in large batches (up to 5–10 kg).Scaled‐up production of MCS makes it feasible for use as an amendment or in treatment filter beds.As the Mn coating increases (up to 0.2% Mn), sand colors become progressively darker (lower Munsell value).A digital colorimeter (using Munsell value) can be used to accurately estimate % Mn oxide at levels <0.2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global agriculture industry is facing never before faced issues in the form of soil degradation, water scarcity, rising greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change. Among the possible remedies, applying biochar to the soil has drawn interest as a viable strategy. Although a great deal of literature has been written about the benefits and drawbacks of applying biochar initially, there is still a significant amount of research on the effects of using biochar repeatedly. This study seeks to address this gap by examining the varied effects of both the initial application (at rates of 0 t.ha−1, 10 t.ha−1, and 20 t.ha−1) and the reapplication of biochar (at rates of 0, 10, and 20 t.ha−1), especially when combined with different levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 108, and 162 kg.ha−1). The investigation focuses on soil properties and CO2 emissions from Haplic Luvisol in the temperate climate zone (Slovakia). The results showed that biochar generally improved soil properties, such as soil pH (KCl) (p <0.05), shifting it from acidic towards moderately acidic, and generally led to a decrease in ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) content. The second level of fertilization, combined with different biochar treatments, yielded the most efficient results in physical properties such as soil temperature, bulk density (BD), and soil water content (SWC) compared to control treatments without biochar. Biochar application contributed to the reduction of both average daily CO2 emissions and cumulative CO2 emissions during the study period (April – October) in 2022 compared to the control without biochar application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon-intensive binders such as cement are traditionally employed to stabilise peat. Few studies have investigated alternative materials such as biochar to improve peat stability while simultaneously sequestering carbon dioxide. This study explored biochar produced through pyrolysis of clean wood and leaves to stabilise peat from Tiller-Flotten, Norway. Unconfined compressive strength, water content and pH measurements on biochar, Portland composite cement and peat compositions and a sustainability assessment were conducted. It was found that biochar amendment increased strength and stiffness of peat and cement-stabilised peat. Biochar showed the potential to reduce the cement amount when stabilising peat while retaining geotechnical properties. Peat stabilised with 200 kg/m3 of biochar and 100 kg/m3 of cement exhibited comparable strength (63.3 ± 4.2 kPa, n = 3) as samples with 200 kg/m3 of cement (63.2 ± 1.3 kPa, n = 3), but with a negative carbon footprint. Adding biochar quantities greater than 27% of the cement quantities resulted in a climate-neutral stabilisation. At a carbon price of approximately €85/t, the biochar costs equalled the cement costs. The cement-only samples outperformed the ones with additional biochar in terms of shear strength/€, while future carbon prices increased the competitiveness of biochar amendments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of the environmental pollution resulting from the excessive use of chemical fertilizers, several methods, including the analysis of morphological and cultural characteristics as well as ITS rDNA sequencing, were utilized to identify the strain and evaluate its phosphate solubilizing capacity. A controlled greenhouse pot experiment was then conducted to assess the effects of the phosphate solubilizing bacteria strain Y-5 on crop growth and soil fertility. The identification results revealed that the phosphate solubilizing strain, Y-5, belongs to Pseudomonas donghuensis. Under liquid culture for 5 days, the ratio of the phosphate solubilizing ring's diameter to the colony's diameter (D/d) was 3.51. Notably, strain Y-5 exhibited exceptional phosphate solubilization efficiency, with a maximum phosphate solubilizing amount of calcium phosphate reaching 432.25 mg/L. Furthermore, the highest phosphate soluble content of lecithin was 116.37 mg/L, highlighting its robust phosphate solubilizing capacity. The pot experiment results revealed that the modified biochar of strain Y-5 effectively enhances the content of available phosphate and organic matter in soil. Additionally, the modified biochar of the Y-5 strain exerted a significant growth-promoting effect on corn seedlings. Based on the indices of maize seedling growth and soil property changes, it was determined that the optimal application ratio of Pseudomonas donghuensis modified biochar was approximately 10 g/kg. This research result significantly reduced the cost of popularizing and applying phosphate solubilizing bacteria modified biochar and served as a new agricultural material with good prospects for popularization and application, potentially contributing to the green and sustainable development of agriculture in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to summarize the research progress on the application of biochar in the remediation of heavy metals in tailings soil. Through combing and analyzing the related literature, this paper summarizes the preparation and influencing factors of biochar, its main properties, the effect of remediation of soil heavy metal pollution and the remediation mechanism, as well as the application of biochar in the remediation of heavy metals in tailings soil. The study shows that biochar has good adsorption and passivation of heavy metals, which can significantly reduce the content of heavy metals in the soil and thus improve the soil environment. However, there are certain shortcomings in the study, such as the aging, regeneration and economy of biochar need to be further investigated. Therefore, future studies should deeply investigate the optimal conditions, economic feasibility and technical application of biochar in soil heavy metal remediation, with a view to providing new ideas and methods for the remediation of heavy metal pollution in tailings soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic fermentation technology is a sustainable method for treating organic waste. However, the process can be hindered by low gas production, system instability due to acidification, ammonianitrogen inhibition, and microorganisms. The addition of biochar to the anaerobic fermentation system can improve gas production rates and maintain system stability. This paper summarizes the research progress on the effect of biochar on anaerobic fermentation systems by discussing the preparation and characteristics of biochar, its main effects on anaerobic fermentation systems, Exploring the potential for further research and in-depth application of biochar in anaerobic fermentation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dewatering is a crucial stage in the treatment of sludge since it directly increases capacity and lowers the cost of subsequent handling. Enhanced dewatering of printing and dyeing sludge was experimentally investigated with combined conditioners of sludge-derived biochar and ferric chloride (FeCl3) in this study. Results showed that the optimal conditioner dosages were: FeCl3 of 3% dry sludge (DS) and biochar of 60% DS. Compared with raw sludge, the sludge specific resistance to filtration (SRF) decreased by 77.14%, and the moisture content of sludge decreased from 85.38% to 67.08%. In addition, the chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity and chromaticity of supernatant decreased by 32.50%, 89.20% and 77.50%, respectively. It was found that the synergistic effect existed between the two conditioners. The possible mechanism was that FeCl3 aggregated small sludge particles to form large flocs and improved the dewatering performance of sludge, while biochar helped to build an incompressible and permeable sludge cake to further improve the sludge dewaterability due to its relatively hydrophobicity and large specific surface area. Therefore, combined addition of FeCl3 and biochar might be a promising conditioning method to enhance textile sludge dewaterability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inexpensive and recyclable catalysts, waste regeneration, that utilize safe and available solvents are important factors in laboratory and industrial applications. On the other hand, biochar nanoparticles are new precursors for the solid phase of carbon materials with novel characteristics, which exists synthetically or naturally. Therefore in this work, biochar nanoparticles were prepared from the pyrolysis of biomass resulting from chicken manure. Therefore, it is a suitable method for biomass waste recycling. Then, the surface of biochar nanoparticles was modified by (3-aminoopropyl)trimethoxysilane in n-hexane for 24 h at 60 °C, which the modified biochar nanoparticles were named nPr-NH2@biochar. Next, the modified biochar nanoparticles were functionalized by di(pyridin-2-yl)methanone (DPMI) in ethanol at 80 °C for 24 h, and the functionalized biochar nanoparticles were named as DPMI@biochar. Finally, a new copper Schiff-base complex of di(pyridin-2-yl)methanimine (DPMI) was immobilized on the surface of functionalized biochar nanoparticles (Cu-DPMI@biochar). This biochar-based catalyst nanostructure (Cu-DPMI@biochar) was used as a practical and reusable catalyst in the homoselective synthesis of 5-substituted-1H-tetrazole compounds by [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of sodium azide and nitrile derivatives. This catalyst was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (WDX), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) techniques. Cu-DPMI@biochar can be recovered and reused several times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive use of available biomass, especially low-cost forestry waste to produce bioenergy, materials have great meaning for realization of green and sustainable chemical processes. In this work, forestry sawdusty waste (SD) was used to produce biochar (SDBC-P) via a H3PO4 assisted hydrothermal carbonization method. And a novel zirconium-coordinated biochar catalyst Zr-SDBC-P has been prepared by self-assembly method. Characterization results revealed that hydrothermal carbonization in the presence of H3PO4 promoted the formation of oxygen-containing functional groups (–COOH, Ar–OH) which were used as ligand to obtain high contents of Lewis acid − base sites (Zr4+–O2−). Zr-SDBC-P-4 showed satisfactory catalytic activity in synthesis of bioderived γ-valerolactone (GVL) from ethyl levulinate (EL). EL conversion of 98.2% and GVL selectivity of 85.4% were obtained within 5 h at 170 °C. In addition, Zr-SDBC-P-4 displayed outstanding chemical stability. There was no obvious decrease of GVL yield after being used for six cycles. Overall, this work offered a viewpoint to design catalyst from value-added utilization of biomass waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a need to find eco-friendly methods for preventing toxic heavy metals from subsuming into food chain due to their deadly impact on plants and animals. A study was employed to investigate cadmium adsorption efficiency of biowastes and their derived products. The bio-wastes included apple pomace and sawdust based vermicompost, later converted to biochar. The study elucidated the impact of changing pH, initial concentration and contact time on cadmium adsorption efficiency of biowastes. Among different adsorbents, the biochars efficiently removed Cd (II) and attained equilibrium at a faster rate. The equilibrium data best fitted to Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm. Among different adsorbents, maximum adsorption (qmax) (35.075 mg g−1) from Langmuir adsorption isotherm was reported for vermicompost derived from 100% sawdust. Among biochars highest qmax (3.0 mg g−1) was reported for biochar obtained from 100% apple pomace. All adsorption systems were exothermic, with AT values ranging from 0.05–0.75 J/mol at pH 8 and 0.118–0.485 J/mol at pH 2. The pseudo-second order kinetic model was best fit at all concentrations implying chemisorption of Cd2+ ions by bioabsorbents. The adsorption could complete in optimum time frame required for industrial application for treating contaminated water at large scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinity is a major challenge in agriculture, particularly in calcareous soils with high calcium carbonate levels. Biochar, produced from biomass pyrolysis, is being considered as a potential solution for mitigating salinity effects. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted using calcareous soil from a saline field to investigate the effects of sugarcane biochar applied at different rates (0.0%, 2.0%, and 5.0%) on soil properties and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth. Results showed that both Low Rate (2.0% biochar) and High Rate (5.0% biochar) treatments significantly improved soil pH, reduced electrical conductivity (EC), and increased soil organic matter (SOM) content. Plant growth indicators such as plant height, stem diameter, and leaf chlorophyll content also showed significant improvement with biochar application. High Rate had more pronounced effects compared to Low Rate. The analysis confirmed the significant effects of biochar on soil properties and plant growth, indicating its potential as a beneficial soil amendment. Sugarcane biochar has the potential to mitigate salinity stress and enhance crop productivity in calcareous soils. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of sugarcane biochar application and its interactions with other soil management practices in different crop systems. These findings highlight the promising role of biochar as a sustainable approach for mitigating salinity stress in agriculture and improving soil quality for crop production. The study's findings highlight the potential industrial applications of sugarcane biochar in addressing soil salinity issues prevalent in calcareous soils, particularly in agriculture. The research underscores the positive impact of biochar on soil attributes, plant growth, and nutrient availability. With its ability to improve soil pH, reduce salinity, increase soil organic matter, and enhance plant growth, sugarcane biochar emerges as a promising soil amendment for agricultural use. This presents an opportunity for industries involved in sustainable agriculture, soil management, and crop enhancement to explore the integration of biochar into their practices. Additionally, the study emphasizes the need for further research and field trials to optimize biochar application rates, assess economic feasibility, and ensure environmental sustainability. The insights gained from this study offer a pathway for industrial stakeholders to explore biochar's role in enhancing soil quality, promoting plant growth, and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar with abundant functional groups, porous structure, and high specific surface area has been widely used as an adsorbent for the removal of metal ions, and its low production costs make it economically suitable for large-scale application in various industries. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were used to functionalize magnetic rice husk biochar (MBC) to produce hydroxyapatite functionalized magnetic rice husk biochar (HAP@MBC) in this study. The functional groups, magnetism performance, surface morphology, and aperture structure of HAP@MBC were characterized to explore the feasibility of its application in the treatment of wastewater containing Cu(II) ions. It is found that the maximum adsorption removal rate reaches 96.02% at 35°C, pH=5.0 , with an adsorbent dosage of 0.65 g/L and an initial Cu(II) ion concentration of 50 mg/L. Additionally, adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics were analyzed to probe into the adsorption mechanism of Cu(II) ions by HAP@MBC. The results show that the adsorption process is very close to the pseudo-second-order model, indicating that the adsorption process is mainly controlled by chemisorption. The adsorption of Cu(II) ions can also be fitted by the intraparticle diffusion model, revealing that the adsorption rate is limited by intraparticle diffusion as well as other factors. Moreover, the adsorption process is consistent with the Langmuir isotherm, and the saturated adsorption capacity is calculated to be 81.59 mg/g. Thermodynamic analysis shows that the value of adsorption enthalpy change is 48.35 kJ/mol , suggesting the adsorption process is chemisorption. More precisely, it is a spontaneous entropy-increasing reaction, and an increase in the temperature is conducive to the adsorption. To sum up, HAP@MBC exhibits perfect adsorption properties and has the potential to be a novel and promising adsorbent for the removal of Cu(II) ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Six types of campus fallen leaves were collected to produce biochar at 300 °C. • Adsorption capacity of leaf biochars for Pb vary from 31 to 209 mg/g. • Intraparticle diffusion controlled the adsorption kinetics of Pb onto PB. • 27% of total adsorbed Pb existed as the exchangeable fraction on PB. • Hydrocerussite and cerussite contributed to the great acid soluble Pb on YDB. Realizing campus sustainability requires the environmental-friendly and economical treatment of tremendous fallen leaves. Producing fallen leaf biochar at a low temperature is a candidate approach. In this study, six common types of fallen leaves on the campus were pyrolyzed at 300 °C. The obtained biochars were characterized and the adsorption mechanisms of lead (Pb) by the fallen leaf biochars were investigated. The adsorption capacity of leaf biochar for Pb was relatively high, up to 209 mg/g (Yulania denudata leaf biochar). Adsorption of Pb onto active sites was the rate-limiting step for most leaf biochars. But for Platanus leaf biochar, intraparticle diffusion of Pb2+ dominated owing to the lowest adsorption capacity. However, the highest exchangeable Pb fraction (27%) indicated its potential for removing aqueous Pb2+. Ginkgo and Prunus cerasifera leaf biochar immobilized Pb by surface complexation and precipitation as lead oxalate. Hence, they were suitable for soil heavy metal remediation. This study shed the light on the sustainable utilization of campus fallen leaves and the application of fallen leaf biochars in heavy metal remediation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ferrihydrite-biochar composite simultaneously removed Cd(II) and As(V). • As(V) presence promoted Cd(II) retention in the ferrihydrite-biochar composite. • The distribution of Cd(II)/As(V) in single system is different in the ferrihydrite-biochar composite. • Cd(II) and As(V) were closely associated with ferrihydrite in the mixed Cd&As system. The coexistence of cadmium (Cd(II)) and arsenate (As(V)) pollution has long been an environmental problem. Biochar, a porous carbonaceous material with tunable functionality, has been used for the remediation of contaminated soils. However, it is still challenging for the dynamic quantification and mechanistic understanding of the simultaneous sequestration of multi-metals in biochar-engineered environment, especially in the presence of anions. In this study, ferrihydrite was coprecipitated with biochar to investigate how ferrihydrite-biochar composite affects the fate of heavy metals, especially in the coexistence of Cd(II) and As(V). In the solution system containing both Cd(II) and As(V), the maximum adsorption capacities of ferrihydrite-biochar composite for Cd(II) and As(V) reached 82.03 µmol/g and 531.53 µmol/g, respectively, much higher than those of the pure biochar (26.90 µmol/g for Cd(II), and 40.24 µmol/g for As(V)) and ferrihydrite (42.26 µmol/g for Cd(II), and 248.25 µmol/g for As(V)). Cd(II) adsorption increased in the presence of As(V), possibly due to the changes in composite surface charge in the presence of As(V), and the increased dispersion of ferrihydrite by biochar. Further microscopic and mechanistic results showed that Cd(II) complexed with both biochar and ferrihydrite, while As(V) was mainly complexed by ferrihydrite in the Cd(II) and As(V) coexistence system. Ferrihydrite posed vital importance for the co-adsorption of Cd(II) and As(V). The different distribution patterns revealed by this study help to a deeper understanding of the behaviors of cations and anions in the natural environment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Waste furfural residue is deliberated as feedstock for pyrolysis/gasification. • Furfural residue is used to prepare catalysts with one-step method for tar cracking. • Increase in cracking temperature is helpful to the catalytic ability of catalysts. • Ni-loaded catalyst shows higher thermal stability and tar conversion efficiency. • Mechanism of tar catalytic cracking over catalysts is proposed. This study proposed an innovative strategy of catalytic cracking of tar during biomass pyrolysis/gasification using furfural residue derived biochar-based catalysts. Fe, Co, and Ni modified furfural residue char (FRC-Fe, FRC-Co, and FRC-Ni) were prepared by one-step impregnation method. The influences of cracking temperature and metal species on the tar cracking characteristics were investigated. The results showed that the tar conversion efficiency for all catalysts were improved with the cracking temperature increasing, the higher tar conversion efficiency achieved at 800 °C were 66.72 %, 89.58 %, 84.58 %, and 94.70 % for FRC, FRC-Fe, FRC-Co, and FRC-Ni respectively. FRC-Ni achieved the higher gas (H 2 , CO, CH 4 , CO 2) yield 681.81 mL/g. At 800 °C, the catalyst (FRC-Ni) still reached a high tar conversion efficiency over 85.90 % after 5 cycles. SEM-EDS results showed that the distribution of Ni particles on the biochar support was uniform. TGA results demonstrated that FRC-Ni exhibited better thermal stability. XRD results indicated that there was no significant change in the grain size of Ni before and after the reaction. The FRC-Ni catalyst was reasonably stable due to its better anti-sintering and coke-resistant capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Aims Methods Results Conclusion Biochar can enhance phytoremediation in petroleum hydrocarbon polluted soils, making it an intriguing soil amendment option for remediating polluted soil. Biochar can improve the fertility of depleted soils through a range of mechanisms. This study can contribute valuable insights into the origin of biochar and enhance our understanding of the efficacy of different biochar types in remediating petroleum hydrocarbon polluted soils.To assess the efficacy of different biochar types and plant growth in remediating petroleum hydrocarbon polluted soils.A field experiment was conducted at the automobile workshop (commonly called mechanic village) from July to October 2021, using a randomized complete block design. The land was sectioned into designated plots with three replicates. Maize stalk biochar (MSB) and nipa palm biochar (NPB) were treated differently in each plot at a rate of 20 t ha−1. Plots containing no biochar were used as controls. Initial and final soil analyses were conducted.Preliminary soil assessments revealed higher values of soil bulk density (1.51 g cm−3), moisture content (35.02%), organic carbon (41.01 g kg−1), cation exchange capacity (13.27 cmol kg−1), total petroleum hydrocarbon content (PHCt) (775.83 mg kg−1), cadmium (Cd) (5.41 mg kg−1), chromium (Cr) (25 mg kg−1), lead (Pb) (33.51 mg kg−1), and zinc (Zn) (0.91 mg kg−1) in the polluted soil than in the unpolluted counterpart. The polluted soil displayed lower hydraulic conductivity (Ks) (1.17 cm h−1), available phosphorus (69.46 mg kg−1), manganese (Mn) (6.38 mg kg−1) and iron (Fe) (4.18 mg kg−1) contents than the unpolluted soil. The PHCt, Cd, and Cr were significantly decreased following the application of biochar. NPB recorded the lowest petroleum hydrocarbon (19%), lead (37%), manganese (57%), and zinc (69%) contents, whereas MSB had the lowest cadmium (50%) and chromium (27%) contents when compared with the control. Between heavy metal accumulations in the leaves and fruits, a greater accumulation of Cd, Cr, and Pb was found in the leaves, whereas Ni accumulation was found in the fruits. The highest Cd (47.0 mg kg−1) and Ni (8.3 mg kg−1) accumulations in the leaves were recorded in NPB treated plots. Similarly, Cd (5.3 mg kg−1), Cr (3.7 mg kg−1), Pb (21.6 mg kg−1), and Ni (23.4 mg kg−1) accumulation in the fruits recorded the highest values in the NPB treated plots. The NPB plants were the tallest compared with the other treatments. In addition, NPB plants had the widest leaf area compared with other treatments.The results indicated that the amendment of NPB may be suitable for the phytoremediation of soils polluted with petroleum hydrocarbons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbonization of waste material into functional carbonaceous material is a benign way of utilizing biomass. Herein, we report the decoration of SnS2 nanoparticles on the biochar carbonaceous material using a facile hydrothermal synthetic strategy. The biomass collected from staminate flowers was pyrolyzed to obtain a biochar material containing a hydrophilic surface that creates an efficient environment for the decoration of SnS2 nanoparticles. The SnS2 decoration was thoroughly investigated using state-of-the-art instrumentation techniques. The morphological investigations indicate the formation of flower-shaped SnS2 nanoparticles with a sufficiently exposed surface for effective surface activities. These include the photodegradation of the methylene blue (MB) dye and electrochemical sensing of Pb2+ and Hg2+ ions. The SnS2@BC composite exhibits superior photocatalytic activity for the degradation of MB. Almost 95% of MB is removed within 60 min of contact time by a collaborative effect of adsorption and sunlight-driven photocatalysis. The removal of MB followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with a high K1 value of ca. 0.013 min−1. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) traces of the SnS2@BC modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) show a decent electrochemical response with limits of detection of ca. 0.28 and 0.55 μM in the case of Pb2+ and Hg2+ respectively. Furthermore, the DFT studies were carried out on a simulated model material and the results were in line with the experimental data. This work provides an economical treatment method for the photodegradation and electrochemical sensing of toxic contaminants present in wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

\nHIGHLIGHTSBiochar is a soil amendment made from organic waste pyrolysis that has the potential to enhance crop growth and reduce soil contamination. A recent study examined the effects of biochar application on rice plant growth, yield, biomass, and total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) contamination in soil. The study included four treatments: control, biochar (2.0% and 4.0% addition), TPH (4.0%, 6.0%, and 8.0%), and biochar+TPH. Results showed that biochar application was effective in mitigating the negative effects of TPH contamination on soil-physiochemical properties, increasing soil pH, organic matter, and available nutrients. Additionally, biochar application significantly increased rice plant height compared to the control and mitigated the negative impact of TPH on rice plant height in TPH-contaminated soil. Biochar application at 4.0% and 6.0% resulted in higher grain yield and biomass than the control group under all TPH contamination levels, with 6.0% being the most effective. Overall, the study highlights the potential of biochar as a sustainable approach for crop production in contaminated areas. However, further research is required to understand the underlying mechanisms, sustainability, and long-term effects of biochar application in agricultural systems. SBB has the potential to mitigate the negative effects of TPH contamination on soil properties.SBB can increase soil pH, organic matter, and available nutrients, making it a valuable tool for soil remediation.SBB reduces TPH removal from contaminated soil, possibly due to adsorption or soil property modifications.SBB has a positive effect on rice height, mitigating the negative impact of TPH contamination.Higher levels of SBB result in taller rice plants, and lower levels of TPH result in taller rice plants.SBB application at 4.0% and 6.0% improves grain yield and biomass across all TPH contamination levels.SBB has promising potential as a sustainable strategy for managing contaminated soils for crop production.SBB has the potential to mitigate the negative effects of TPH contamination on soil properties.SBB can increase soil pH, organic matter, and available nutrients, making it a valuable tool for soil remediation.SBB reduces TPH removal from contaminated soil, possibly due to adsorption or soil property modifications.SBB has a positive effect on rice height, mitigating the negative impact of TPH contamination.Higher levels of SBB result in taller rice plants, and lower levels of TPH result in taller rice plants.SBB application at 4.0% and 6.0% improves grain yield and biomass across all TPH contamination levels.SBB has promising potential as a sustainable strategy for managing contaminated soils for crop production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights In this study, three types of biochar including wood biochar (WB), rice husk biochar (RHB), and bamboo biochar (BB) were used as fillers to mix with wood flour (WF), polypropylene (PP), and maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) to prepare wood polymer biochar composites (WPBC). The influences of biochar types and addition amounts (10 wt%, 20 wt%, 30 wt%, and 40 wt%) on the mechanical properties, dimension stability, and thermal stability of WPBC were investigated. The results showed that the water absorption rate and thickness swelling rate of WPBC were lower than control group due to the hydrophobic nature of the biochar. Additionally, the presence of biochar was beneficial to the interfacial bonding and stress transmission in composites, resulting in better mechanical properties. Composites containing 20 wt% RHB showed the highest flexural modulus among all, which increased by 11.27% compared to control group. Adding WB also enhanced the tensile and impact strength of composites at a loading level of 10 wt%, with the value of 39.10 MPa and 15.55 KJ/m2, respectively. The thermal stability and flame retardancy of WPBC was improved due to the presence of SiO2 in biochar, which could hinder heat transmission and thermal degradation during combustion process. Concurrently, the rate of heat release and smoke generation in WPBC also decreased significantly. The oxygen limiting index (LOI) of composites with 20 wt% RHB was as high as 26.64%, increasing by 30.14% compared to control group. The results suggested that biochar was a promising alternative to commercial additives for the cost‐effective production of composites. Effects of biochar loading level and type were compared. Enhanced the mechanical properties by optimizing interfacial bonding. Biochar improved the dimensional and thermal stability. Biochar is a versatile and cost‐effective additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Water stress is a major danger to crop yield, hence new approaches to strengthen plant resilience must be developed. To lessen the negative effects of water stress on wheat plants, present study was arranged to investigate the role of synergistic effects of biochar, trans-zeatin riboside (t-ZR), and Azospirillum brasilense on soil improvement and enzymatic activity in water-stressed wheat. Results: In a three-replication experiment comprising of four treatments (T0: Control, T1: Drought stress (DS), T2: DS + t-ZR with biochar, T3: DS + A. brasilense with biochar), we observed notable improvements in soil quality and enzymatic activities in water-stressed wheat plants with the application of t-ZR and A. brasilense with biochar. In drought stress, Treatment having the application of A. brasilense with biochar performs best as compared to the other and significant increased the enzymatic activities such as peroxidase (7.36%), catalase (8.53%), superoxide dismutase (6.01%), polyphenol oxidase (14.14%), and amylase (16.36%) in wheat plants. Different enzymatic activities showed different trends of results. Soil organic C, dissolved organic C, dissolved organic N also enhanced 29.46%, 8.59%, 22.70% respectively with the application of A. brasilense with biochar under drought stress condition. Conclusions: The synergistic action of A. brasilense and biochar creates an effective microbiological environment that supports essential plant physiological processes during drought stress. This enhancement is attributed to improved soil fertility and increased organic matter content, highlighting the potential of these novel strategies in mitigating water stress effects and enhancing crop resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As for Atrazine (C8H14ClN5) degradation in soil, iron (Fe)-manganese (Mn) bimetallic biochar composites were proved to be more efficient for persulfate (PS) activation than monometallic ones. The atrazine removal rates of Fe/Mn loaded biochar + PS systems were 2.17–2.89 times higher than Fe/Mn loaded biochar alone. Compared with monometallic biochar, the higher atrazine removal rates by bimetallic biochar (77.2–96.7%) were mainly attributed to the synergy degradation and adsorption due to the larger amounts of metal oxides on the biochar surface. Atrazine degradation in Fe-rich biochar systems was mainly attributed to free radicals (i.e., SO 4 · - and ·OH) through oxidative routes, whereas surface-bound radicals, 1O2, and free radicals were responsible for the degradation of atrazine in Mn-rich biochar systems. Furthermore, with a higher ratio of Fe(II) and Mn(III) formed in Fe-rich bimetallic biochar, the valence state exchange between Fe and Mn contributed significantly to the more effective activation of PS and the generation of more free radicals. The pathways of atrazine degradation in the Fe-rich bimetallic biochar systems involved alkyl hydroxylation, alkyl oxidation, dealkylation, and dechlorohydroxylation. The results indicated that bimetallic biochar composites with more Fe and less Mn are more effective for the PS-based degradation of atrazine, which guides the ration design of easily available carbon materials targeted for the efficient remediation of various organic-polluted soil. Highlights: Both Fe- and Mn-rich bimetallic biochar can effectively activate persulfate, but Fe-rich biochar is superior. Atrazine degradation in Fe-rich biochar systems was attributed to free radicals through oxidative routes. Atrazine degradation pathways involved alkyl hydroxylation, alkyl oxidation, dealkylation, and dechlorohydroxylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar is a promising solution to alleviate the negative impacts of salinity stress on agricultural production. Biochar derived from food waste effect was investigated on three plant species, Medicago sativa, Amaranthus caudatus, and Zea mays, under saline environments. The results showed that biochar improved significantly the height by 30%, fresh weight of shoot by 35% and root by 45% of all three species compared to control (saline soil without biochar adding), as well as enhanced their photosynthetic pigments and enzyme activities in soil. This positive effect varied significantly between the 3 plants highlighting the importance of the plant-biochar interactions. Thus, the application of biochar is a promising solution to enhance the growth, root morphology, and physiological characteristics of plants under salt-induced stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural fiber‐reinforced composites (NFRCs) suffer from water absorption and low temperature stability, resulting in fiber degradation and subsequent material failure. Built‐in piezoresistive sensors are investigated to monitor the deformation/strain of the component. As a low‐cost material from renewable resources biochar particles derived from olive stones were applied on flax plies and yarn bundles that served as model systems. Carbon black samples as petrochemical variants were used as a reference material. Biochar and carbon black‐covered fiber systems were laminated in epoxy resin followed by tensile tests. The electrical resistance was recorded simultaneously during testing. Biochar with a broad size distribution from nano to high micrometer range (D < 200 μm) was superior in sensor performance compared to carbon black and biochar with a smaller particle size range D < 20 μm. Gauge factors (GF) of NFRC samples with integrated biochar particles reached 30–80 while carbon black could not exceed a GF of 8. To obtain maximum GFs, yarn count of flax yarn/ply substrate should be as thin as possible, but still enable percolation of the adhering particle network. Comparatively large particle size was identified as a contributing factor enabling the high GF for coarse biochar compared to carbon black. Highlights: A nonfossil biochar built‐in piezoresistive sensor in natural fiber‐reinforced composites was fabricatedDeposing biochar directly on flax fibers facilitates processingThe biochar piezoresistive sensor exhibits superior sensitivity compared to carbon black [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar application can alleviate the adverse effects of saline-alkali stress on crops. However, the long-term effects of one-off biochar application on soil physicochemical properties, salt concentration, nutrient availability, soil enzyme activities, and rice yield under highly saline-alkali paddy soils remain unclear. Here, a 6-year paddy field study was conducted in a saline-alkali paddy field using two nitrogen application levels (0 and 225 kg ha−1) and four biochar application rates [0 (T0), 1.5% (T1.5), 3.0% (T3.0), and 4.5% (T4.5) biochar, w/w]. The results showed that compared with T0, the bulk density (BD) under T1.5, T3.0, and T4.5 treatments significantly decreased by 11.21%, 16.33%, and 25.57%, while total porosity (Tp) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) increased by 19.15–27.34% and 3217.78–5539.83%, respectively. Biochar consistently improved soil macro-aggregates, mean weight diameter (MWD), and the percentage of water-stable aggregates (PWSA) over the years. Additionally, one-off application of biochar continuously reduced the soil Na+ concentration, Na+/K+ ratio, Na+/Ca2+ ratio, saturated paste extract (ECe), exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), and sodium adsorption ratio (SARe). However, it reduced the pH in 2021 and 2022 only. It enhanced the concentration of K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) over the 6-year study, indicating its longer-term positive impact. Furthermore, the one-off biochar application, especially under high application rate treatments (T3.0 and T4.5), significantly and continuously improved nutrient availability and soil enzyme activities. However, alkali-hydrolysable nitrogen (AN) decreased in the initial year of biochar application. The grain yield of T1.5, T3.0, and T4.5 surpassed that of T0 by 116.38%, 141.24%, and 145.20%, respectively. Notably, the rice yield reached its peak with the treatment of 3.0% (w/w) in all 6 years of study period. These findings offered new perspectives on repairing and improving soil quality and production ability of highly saline-alkali paddy soils. Highlights: A long-term (6-year), one-off application of biochar was conducted in a highly saline-alkali paddy field. Biochar consistently decreased soil BD, increased Tp, Ks, and improved soil aggregates. Biochar showed a sustained ability to alleviate saline-alkali stress. The continuous improvement of soil functions acted on the increase of rice yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although biochar application to soils has been found to increase soil quality and crop yield, the biochar dispersion extent and its impacts on native soil organic carbon (SOC) has received relatively little attention. Here, the vertical and lateral migration of fine, intermediate and coarse-sized biochar (<0.5, 0.5–1 and 1–5 mm, respectively), applied at low and high doses (1.5–2 and 3–4% w/w, respectively), was tracked using stable isotope methods, along with its impact on native SOC stocks. Biochar was homogeneously mixed into the surface layer (0–7 cm depth) of a loamy sandy Acrisol in Zambia. After 4.5 y, 38–75% of the biochar carbon (BC) was lost from the applied layer and 4–25% was detected in lower soil layers (7–30 cm). Estimating BC mineralization to be no more than 8%, 25–60% was likely transported laterally out of the experimental plots. This conclusion was supported by observations of BC in the control plot and in soils up to 2 m outside of the experimental plots. These processes were likely progressive as recovery of BC in similar plots 1 year after application was greater in both surface and lower soil layers than after 4.5 y. Fine and intermediate-sized BC displayed the greatest downward migration (25.3 and 17.9%, respectively), particularly when applied at lower doses, suggesting its movement through soil inter-particle spaces. At higher dosages, fine and intermediate-sized particles may have clogged pore, so coarse biochar displayed the greatest downward migration when biochar was applied at higher doses. In the BC treatment plot soil profiles, native SOC stocks were reduced by 2.8 to 24.5% (18.4% on average), i.e. positive priming. However, some evidence suggested that the soils may switch to negative priming over time. The dispersion of biochar in soil should be considered when evaluating biochar's agronomic benefits and environmental effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative speciation of metals and their variability over time is a critical concept in environmental soil chemistry. Chromium is a heavy metal that has negative effects on the environment and human health. There have been several attempts to study the behavior of chromium in soils and its removal from soil. However, there is relatively little knowledge about the immobilization of chromium and its chemical speciation in contaminated and uncontaminated soils when different organic amendments are applied. A laboratory incubation experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design to evaluate the effect of organic amendments on the speciation of chromium in contaminated and uncontaminated soils. Four organic amendments were used: farmyard manure (FYM), rice straw compost (RSC), vermicompost (VC), and biochar (BC). Each of them was applied at 1% to contaminated as well as uncontaminated soils. In both the amended and unamended soils, chromate (CrO42-), bichromate (HCrO4−), and calcium chromate (CaCrO4) in soil-water system followed the order CrO42-> HCrO4−> CaCrO4. The application of FYM, RSC, VC, and BC significantly decreased the CrO42- and CaCrO4 in the soil-water system of both soils. However, only the application of BC affected the HCrO4− contaminated soils. In both soils, HCrO4− exists as the predominant chromium species in the pH range of 2.0 to 6.25. At pH 6.25, CrO42- and HCrO4− each contribute 50% of the total dissolved chromium in soil solution. CrO42- dominated in the system as the pH increased from 6.25 till 8.0. The maximum concentration of CrO42- was at pH 8.0. At pH <3.0, CrO3SO42- contributes less than 10%. Overall, organic amendments decreased the concentration of Cr species in both soils. However, the decrease in concentration was highly dependent on the nature of the amendment applied. Therefore, organic amendments can be exploited to remediate chromium-contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a toxic metal that poses huge threat to environment and living bodies. Recently, microbial fuel cell (MFC) systems based on highly efficient cathodes have been widely applied for Cr(VI) remediation. In this study, a novel cathode loaded with magnetic nanoparticles (NPs)-doped biochar (Fe NPs/biochar) is introduced into a two-chamber MFC to investigate its power output and Cr(VI) reduction. Results showed that the removal efficiency of Cr(VI) using Fe NPs/biochar group was 98.19%, which is significantly higher than that of carbon felt (53.31%). The maximum power density of the Fe NPs/biochar is 8.41 times higher than that of carbon felt. An adsorption–reduction mechanism is obtained for Cr(VI) reduction of Fe NPs/biochar through characteristic and electrochemical analyses, such as scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry test. The microbial community analysis showed that the biofilm of the anode were enriched with electrochemically active bacteria, such as Geobacter and Pseudomonas , after operation. Thus, this study presents a highly effective electrode for enhancing the power output and Cr(VI) reduction for Cr(VI)-containing wastewater treatment. • The system showed high removal efficiency (∼98.19 %) for Cr(VI). • Fe NPs/Biochar cathode produced 144 mV of the bioelectricity. • Fe NPs can improve the performance of MFC as an electron shuttle carrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pretreatment for torrefaction impacts the performance of biomass fuels and operational costs. Given their diversity, it is crucial to determine the optimal torrefaction conditions for different types of biomass. In this study, three typical solid biofuels, corn stover (CS), agaric fungus bran (AFB), and spent coffee grounds (SCGs), were prepared using fluidized bed torrefaction. The thermal stability of different fuels was extensively discussed and a novel comprehensive fuel index, "displacement level", was analyzed. The functional groups, pore structures, and microstructural differences between the three raw materials and the optimally torrefied biochar were thoroughly characterized. Finally, the biomass fuel consumption for household heating and water supply was calculated. The results showed that the optimal torrefaction temperatures for CS, AFB, and SCGs were 240, 280, and 280 °C, respectively, with comprehensive quality rankings of the optimal torrefied biochar of AFB (260) > SCG (252) > CS (248). Additionally, the economic costs of the optimally torrefied biochar were reduced by 7.03–19.32%. The results indicated that the displacement level is an index universally applicable to the preparation of solid fuels through biomass torrefaction. AFB is the most suitable solid fuel to be upgraded through torrefaction and has the potential to replace coal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop valuable applications for the invasive weed Palmer amaranth, we utilized it as a novel biochar source and explored its potential for methyl orange adsorption through the synthesis of chitosan-encapsulated Palmer amaranth biochar composite microspheres. Firstly, the prepared microspheres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and were demonstrated to have a surface area of 19.6 m2/g, a total pore volume of 0.0664 cm3/g and an average pore diameter of 10.6 nm. Then, the influences of pH, dosage and salt type and concentration on the adsorption efficiency were systematically investigated alongside the adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics. The results reveal that the highest adsorption capacity of methyl orange was obtained at pH 4.0. The adsorption process was well fitted by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model, and was spontaneous and endothermic. Through the Langmuir model, the maximal adsorption capacities of methyl orange were calculated as 495.0, 537.1 and 554.3 mg/g at 25.0, 35.0 and 45.0 °C, respectively. Subsequently, the adsorption mechanisms were elucidated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigations. It is indicated that electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, π–π interactions and hydrophobic interactions between methyl orange and the composite microspheres were pivotal for the adsorption process. Finally, the regeneration studies demonstrated that after five adsorption–desorption cycles, the microspheres still maintained 93.6% of their initial adsorption capacity for methyl orange. This work not only presents a promising method for mitigating methyl orange pollution but also offers a sustainable approach to managing Palmer amaranth invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Costa Rica produces a considerable, important quantity of wood residues. This waste can be pyrolyzed to produce charcoals as main products that can be effectively used as an energy source or to immobilize carbon for soil treatment. However, there is a lack of information about the pyrogenic carbonaceous materials (PCMs), such as charcoal or biochar, obtained at different pyrolysis temperatures. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the quality of PCMs (physical, mechanical, ultimate analysis, and FTIR analysis) and charcoal characteristics (energetic properties and thermogravimetric analysis—TGA) and biochar characteristics (conductivity, pH, initial contact angle, and wetting rates) for four tropical wood residues produced in five temperatures (300 °C, 350 °C, 400 °C, 450 °C, and 500 °C). In general, pyrolysis temperature between 450 °C and 500 °C produced charcoals with lower values of density, moisture content, compression strength, volatiles, H and O content, and higher values of C and ash contents, conductivity, pH, initial contact angle, and wetting rates. FTIR and TGA analyses show that celluloses and lignin are pyrolyzed at these temperatures, so these temperatures are recommended. The range of 300–350 °C is not recommended, as these parameters were inverse. Multivariate analysis shows that (i) PCMs obtained at lower temperatures (300–350 °C) from Dipteryx panamensis, Hieronyma alchorneoides, and Tectona grandis belong to a cluster with poorer properties, indicating that these temperatures are not adequate for pyrolysis of these species; (ii) all the PCMs obtained from Gmelina arborea were grouped into one cluster, suggesting different PCM quality; and (iii) the PCMs produced from D. panamensis, H. alchorneoides, and T. grandis at 400–500 °C were grouped into another cluster with better properties, suggesting this pyrolysis temperature range as the best for these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was the characterization and evaluation of applicability as a soil amendment of biochar derived from rose pruning waste at different pyrolysis temperatures (200–500 °C) and process durations (20–60 min). The biochar properties were compared to the raw material. The biochars produced at 300 °C for 40 and 60 min demonstrated the best fuel properties. These variants showed high energy gain rates (77.6 ± 1.5% and 74.8 ± 1.5%, respectively), energy densification ratios (1.35 ± 0.00 and 1.37 ± 0.00, respectively), high heating values (24,720 ± 267 J × g−1 and 25,113 ± 731 J × g−1, respectively), and relative low ash contents (5.9 ± 0.5% and 7.1 ± 0.3%, respectively). Regarding fertilizer properties, such as pH value, ash content, heavy metal content, and pollutant elution, the biochars showed better qualities than the raw material. All tested biochar did not exceed the permissible values for heavy metals, including Cr, Cd, Ni, and Pb. The most optimal properties for soil amendments were noted for biochar variants of 400 °C for 40 min, 450 °C for 20 min, and 500 °C for 20 min. Generally, biochars produced at temperatures ≥400 °C did not inhibit root elongation, except for the material produced at 450 °C for 60 min (4.08 ± 23.34%). Biochars obtained at ≥300 °C showed a positive impact on seed germination (86.67 ± 18.48–100 ± 24.14%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regulation of the pyrolysis process is a key step in increasing the carbon sequestration capacity of biochar. The effect of K3PO4 addition on the yield, chemical composition, characteristic functional groups, macromolecular skeleton, graphite crystallites, and stability of biochar was studied in this paper using two-dimensional infrared correlation spectroscopy (2D-PCIS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectrum, and other characterization methods combined with thermal/chemical oxidation analysis. It is discovered that adding K3PO4 may effectively minimize the graphitization temperature range and increase biochar's yield, aromaticity, H/C ratio, and proportion of refractory/recalcitrant organic carbon. The 2D-PCIS and Raman analysis revealed that K3PO4 mostly promoted the dehydrogenation and polycondensation process of the aromatic rings in the char precursor, transforming the amorphous carbon structure of biochar into an ordered turbostratic microcrystalline structure. K3PO4 enhanced biochar stability mostly at medium-high temperatures (350 ~ 750℃) by stimulating the transformation of unstable structures of biochar to stable carbon-containing structures or by inhibiting the interaction of its active sites with oxidants through the mineralization process. A 20% phosphorus addition increased biochar's refractory index (R50) by roughly 11%, and it also boosted biochar's oxidation resistance (H2O2 or K2CrO4) efficiency, reducing carbon oxidation loss by up to 7.31%. However, at higher temperatures (> 750 ℃), the doping of phosphorus atoms into the carbon skeleton degraded the biochar structure's stability. The results of this study suggest that using exogenous phosphorus-containing additives is an efficient way to improve the stability of biochar. Highlights: K3PO4 promoted biochar precursor's dehydrogenation/polycondensation process to form fused-ring aromatic structures. K3PO4 increased recalcitrant carbon proportion and shielded biochar's active sites through the mineralization process. By adding 20 wt% of K3PO4, the thermal and chemical stability of biochar were enhanced by 11% and 7%, respectively [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing emphasis on indoor air quality and public health is fuelling the need for efficient yet affordable air purification techniques. In this study, the influence of biochar particle size on its adsorption efficiency toward airborne pollutants was examined. Bark-derived biochar particles were treated by grinding or ball milling, and then, seven samples with different particle size groups were separated. Biochar particles were characterized by particle size, proximate, SEM, XRD, and physisorption analyses. For adsorption efficiency, two different pollutants were tested at variable initial concentrations. The physical composition and XRD patterns of the biochar with different particle sizes were comparable. The ball-milled sample was an exception in that it had higher ash content and additional XRD peaks signifying contamination of the sample. The porosity of biochar was greater in smaller particles. Ball milling increased the specific surface area and total pore volume by 102% and 48%, respectively. Biochar with finer particle size exhibited the highest adsorption potential towards formaldehyde and methanol among other samples. It should be emphasized that simple mechanical grinding is preferred for reducing biochar size to avoid the risk of eventual contamination, greater energy consumption, and slower processing related to ball milling. When a low concentration of pollutant was tested (1 ppm formaldehyde), the effect of particle size on the adsorption efficiency was more noticeable. However, the effect of particle size was less dominant when higher concentrations of pollutants were tested. Smaller biochar particles (<100 μm) are more favourable for indoor air remediation given their superior adsorption efficiency of volatile organic compounds occurring at low concentrations in the buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of sludge-based biochar to recover phosphorus (P) from wastewater and reuse the recovered phosphorus as agricultural fertilizer is a preferred process. This article mainly studied the removal of phosphate (PO4-P) from aqueous solution by synthesizing sludge-based biochar (MgSBC-0.1) from anaerobic fermentation sludge treated with magnesium (Mg)-loading-modification, and compared it with unmodified sludge-based biochar (SBC). The physicochemical properties, adsorption efficiency, and adsorption mechanism of MgSBC-0.1 were studied. The results showed that the surface area of MgSBC-0.1 synthesized increased by 5.57 times. The material surface contained MgO, Mg(OH)2, and CaO nanoparticles. MgSBC-0.1 can effectively remove phosphate in the initial solution pH range of 3.00–7.00, with a fitted maximum phosphorus adsorption capacity of 379.52 mg·g-1. The adsorption conforms to the pseudo second-order kinetics model and Langmuir isotherm adsorption curve. The characterization of the adsorbed composite material revealed the contribution of phosphorus crystal deposition and electrostatic attraction to phosphorus absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochars have received much attention as efficient adsorbents for water pollutants. Besides, the chemical treatment of biochars performed to increase the adsorption capacity usually causes secondary chemical pollution and increases the cost of the process. The biomass feedstock utilised in biochar preparation impacts significantly the surface properties and adsorption capacity. Thus, the need to prepare new biochars from new feedstock with potentially high uptake capacities. Herein, we prepared new biochar (POBC) from Platanus occidentalis waste leaves (POL), which was utilised for the ultrasonic-aided adsorption of bromophenol blue (BRB) and thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (TTB). The FTIR, SEM, EDX, TGA, BET, pHpzc, and elemental characterisations of POBC revealed potent surface characteristics desirable for efficient dye adsorption. An increase in the surface area from 14.31 m2/g to 31.94 m2/g and the pore volume from 0.0214 cm3/g to 0.0326 cm3/g was obtained after the conversion of the POL to POBC. Besides, the SEM images of POBC revealed a highly porous surface structure of the adsorbent. The Freundlich and pseudo-second-order model presented the best fit to the isotherm and kinetics based on the high coefficient of determination (R2 > 0.9) and low sum square errors (SSE < 0.31). The heterogeneous surface nature of POBC was inferred from the independent-oriented site model. The monolayer adsorption capacity of 45.03 mg/g and 48.8 mg/g were obtained for BRB and TTB, respectively. Thermodynamics showed an endothermic, feasible, and random uptake, and POBC displayed efficient potentials to be reused. The obtained results revealed that novel POBC is an efficient low-cost biochar with high adsorption capacity for dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sandy and acidic soil conditions are the major factors limiting the production of some vegetable crops in acidic soils. This study aims to examine the effect of various amendments on the growth, yield and mineral nutrients uptake of stem amaranth. Two pot experiments were conducted separately in two generic soils. Six treatments viz. T0 = control (without amendment), T1= lime, T2 = lime + wetland bottom sediment, T3 = lime + vermicompost, T4 = lime + rice straw biochar (RSB) and T5 = RSB were used for both experiments following CRD with four replications. Results revealed that plant heights (45.96 and 50.33 cm) of amaranth grown in alluvial and hill soils, respectively, were the highest in T4 treatment. Similarly, treatment T4 showed the highest fresh (118.53 and 116.11 g pot−1, respectively) and dry biomasses (16.98 and 19.54 g pot−1, respectively) for both soils. For both soils, treatment T4 resulted better nutrient uptake of N, P, K, S, Zn, Fe and Mn by edible stem, while non-amended soil gave the lowest result at all parameters. Analytical values of post-harvest soils indicated that T4 and/or T5 treatments resulted in an improvement in soil pH, organic carbon, total N, exchangeable K and extractable P, S and Zn. Treatment T3 showed elevated concentrations of extractable soils Fe and Mn. The amendment RSB combined with lime can be preferably used in strong acidic soils for cultivation of stem amaranth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phaseolus vulgaris is one of the most widely consumed legumes across the globe. It is rich in protein, carbohydrates, fiber, bioactive compounds, and mineral contents. Occurrences of drought under changing climate have posed a challenge to the quality and quantity of the crop yield. Our study, taking Phaseolus vulgaris as a test legume, reports that as a soil amendment, biochar and farmyard manure mitigated drought-induced damage in the plant. The experiment was set up in a greenhouse with 1 m2 blocks together arranged in factorial randomized block design. Water withdrawal was done for 15 days in either vegetative or reproductive stage of the crop to simulate drought conditions. Biochar or Farmyard manure was applied at the rate of 10t ha−1 as soil amendment and each treatment was replicated thrice. Higher photosynthesis (up to 23% and 16%, respectively), leaf protein (41% and 30%, respectively), grain protein (4% and 19%, correspondingly), and in-vitro protein digestibility (60% and 254%, respectively) were noted under application of both the amendments. Grain quality in terms of protein content, in-vitro protein digestibility, and protein fractions of Phaseolus vulgaris was improved under drought due to the addition of biochar and farmyard manure. However, the application of those amendments at the rate of 10t ha−1, especially farmyard manure, had a negative impact on the antinutritional factor (phytic acid) and mineral bioavailability. Between the two amendments studied, farmyard manure proved to be more efficient in promoting the overall grain quality of P. vulgaris, but its inimical effects must be concorded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity is a major environmental problem that adversely affects plant growth by increasing soil osmotic pressure and disrupting plant nutrition. Using organic amendments is a viable tool for reducing physiological and morphological effects of excessive soil salinity on plants. To show the impacts of tea waste, compost and biochar on nutrient status and growth parameters of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) raised in salinity conditions, this study has employed factorial CRD with two treatments involving soil salinity (2.5 and 8 dS m−1) and organic materials (spent tea waste (STW), spent tea waste compost (STWC) and spent tea waste biochar (STWB)) at 0 and 3% w/w in three replications. As soil salinity increased from 2.5 to 8 dS m−1, fresh weight and dry matter production decreased by 31.5% and 30.4%, respectively. Phosphorous and potassium concentrations in plant tissue also decreased significantly due to the increase in salinity. Organic amendments (except STW) due to their physicochemical properties increased the nutrients uptake and growth parameters of the plant. Compared to other amendments, biochar reduced salinity effects on plant growth more effectively, which is possibly due to its high nutrient adsorbing and water holding capacity. In saline conditions, the highest potassium to sodium ratio belonged to the biochar treatment, which was 3.22 and 2.78 times greater than spent tea waste and compost, respectively. Therefore, it was preferred to change the spent tea waste into biochar before being used as soil amendment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Biochar ammoniacal nitrogen adsorption capacity was measured. • Nitric acid increased biochar capacity to reduce aerobic degradation ammonia losses. • Biochar ammoniacal nitrogen adsorption explains its capacity to reduce ammonia losses. • Biochar adsorption properties is related to its surface electrical charge. One of the technical barriers to the wider use of biochar in the composting practices is the lack of accurate quantification linking biochar properties to application outcomes. To address this issue, this paper investigates the use of ammonia nitrogen adsorption capacity by biochar as a predictor of ammonia emission during composting in the presence of biochar. With this in mind, this work investigated the use of ammonia nitrogen adsorption capacity of biochar when mixed with solid digestate, and the reduction in ammonia emissions resulting from the addition of biochar during aerobic degradation of solid digestate. A biochar synthesized at 900 °C, another synthesized at 450 °C, and two derivatives of the latter biochar, one chemically modified with nitric acid and the other with potassium hydroxide, were tested. This study concluded that the chemical characteristics of the biochar, including pH and oxygen/carbon atomic ratio, had a greater influence on the adsorption of ammonia nitrogen than physical attributes such as specific surface area. In this regard, nitric acid modification had superior performance compared to hydroxide potassium modification to increase biochar chemical attributes and reduce ammonia emissions when applied to aerobic degradation. Finally, a significant linear correlation (p-value < 0.05, r2 = 0.79) was found between biochar ammonia nitrogen adsorption capacity and ammonia emissions along composting, showing the potential of this variable as a predictive parameter. This study provides insights for future explorations aiming to develop predictive tests for biochar performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Biochar amendment to the digestate-based bioponics improved plant yield. • Biochar adsorbed heavy metals and decreased their bioaccumulation in plants. • Noncancer and cancer risks were found from ingestion of the plants. • Biochar enhanced microbial communities, aiding metal stabilization in bioponics. • Biochar promoted genera in sludge and plant roots for efficient P and N recovery. Bioponics is a nutrient-recovery technology that transforms nutrient-rich organic waste into plant biomass/bioproducts. Integrating biochar with digestate from anaerobic wastewater treatment process can improve resource recovery while mitigating heavy metal contamination. The overarching goal of this study was to investigate the application of biochar in digestate-based bioponics, focusing on its efficacy in nutrient recovery and heavy metal removal, while also exploring the microbial community dynamics. In this study, biochar was applied at 50 % w/w with 500 g dry weight of digestate during two 28-day crop cycles (uncontrolled pH and pH 5.5) using white stem pak choi (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) as a model crop. The results showed that the digestate provided sufficient phosphorus and nitrogen, supporting plant growth. Biochar amendment improved plant yield and phosphate solubilization and reduced nitrogen loss, especially at the pH 5.5. Furthermore, biochar reduced the heavy metal accumulation in plants, while concentrating these metals in the residual sludge. However, owing to potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks, it is still not recommended to directly consume plants cultivated in digestate-based bioponic systems. Additionally, biochar amendment exhibited pronounced impact on the microbial community, promoting microbes responsible for nutrient solubilization and cycling (e.g., Tetrasphaera , Herpetosiphon , Hyphomicrobium , and Pseudorhodoplanes) and heavy metal stabilization (e.g., Leptolinea , Fonticella , Romboutsia , and Desulfurispora) in both the residual sludge and plants. Overall, the addition of biochar enhanced the microbial community and facilitated the metal stabilization and the cycling of nutrients within both residual sludge and root systems, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the bioponics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study involved the production of 20 biochar samples derived from secondary medicinal residues of Snow Lotus Oral Liquid, processed within the temperature range of 200–600 °C. Additionally, four medicinal residues, including dissolved organic matter (DOM), from 24 samples obtained using the shaking method, served as the primary source material. The investigation focused on two key factors: the modifier and preparation temperature. These factors were examined to elucidate the spectral characteristics and chemical properties of the pharmaceutical residues, biochar, and DOM. To analyze the alterations in the spectral attributes of biochar and medicinal residues, we employed near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) in conjunction with Fourier-infrared one-dimensional and two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy. These findings revealed that modifiers enhanced the aromaticity of biochar, and the influence of preparation temperature on biochar was diminished. This observation indicates the stability of the aromatic functional group structure. Comparative analysis indicated that Na2CO3 had a more pronounced structural effect on biochar, which is consistent with its adsorption properties. Furthermore, we utilized the fluorescence indices from UV–visible spectroscopy and excitation-emission-matrix spectra with the PARAFAC model to elucidate the characteristics of the fluorescence components in the DOM released from the samples. The results demonstrated that the DOM released from biochar primarily originated externally. Aromaticity reduction and increased decay will enhance the ability of the biochar to bind pollutants. Those results confirmed the link between the substantial increase in the adsorption performance of the high-temperature modified charcoal in the previous study and the structural changes in the biochar. We investigated the structural changes of biochar and derivative DOM in the presence of two perturbing factors, modifier and preparation temperature. Suitable modifiers were selected. Preparation for the study of adsorption properties of snow lotus medicinal residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years biochar (BC) has gained importance for its huge carbon (C) sequestration potential and positive effects on various soil functions. However, there is a paucity of information on the long-term impact of BC on the priming effect and nutrient availability in soil with different properties. This study investigates the effects of BC prepared from rice husk (RBC4, RBC6), sugarcane bagasse (SBC4, SBC6) and mustard stalk (MBC4, MBC6) at 400 and 600 °C on soil C priming and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) availability in an Alfisol, Inceptisol, and Mollisol. BC properties were analyzed, and its decomposition in three soil orders was studied for 290 days in an incubation experiment. Post-incubation, available N, P, and K in soil were estimated. CO2 evolution from BC and soil alone was also studied to determine the direction of priming effect on native soil C. Increasing pyrolysis temperature enhanced pH and EC of most of the BC. The pyrolysis temperature did not show clear trend with respect to priming effect and nutrient availability across feedstock and soil type. MBC6 increased C mineralization in all the soil orders while RBC6 in Alfisol and SBC6 in both Inceptisol and Mollisol demonstrated high negative priming, making them potential amendments for preserving native soil C. Most of the BC showed negative priming of native SOC in long run (290 days) but all these BC enhanced the available N, P, and K in soil. SBC4 enhanced N availability in Alfisol and Inceptisol, RBC4 improved N and P availability in Mollisol and P in Alfisol and MBC6 increased K availability in all the soils. Thus, based on management goals, tailored BC or blending different BC can efficiently improve C sequestration and boost soil fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reduction in crop productivity due to drought stress, is a major concern in agriculture. Drought stress usually disrupts photosynthesis by triggering oxidative stress and generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). The use of zinc-quantum dot biochar (ZQDB) and proline (Pro) can be effective techniques to overcome this issue. Biochar has the potential to improve the water use efficiency while proline can play an imperative role in minimization of adverse impacts of ROS Proline, functioning as an osmotic protector, efficiently mitigates the adverse effects of heavy metals on plants by maintaining cellular structure, scavenging free radicals, and ensuring the stability of cellular integrity. That's why current study explored the impact of ZQDB and proline on chili growth under drought stress. Four treatments, i.e., control, 0.4%ZQDB, 0.1 mM Pro, and 0.4%ZQDB + Pro, were applied in 4 replications following the complete randomized design. Results exhibited that 0.4%ZQDB + Pro caused an increases in chili plant dry weight (29.28%), plant height (28.12%), fruit length (29.20%), fruit girth (59.81%), and fruit yield (55.78%) over control under drought stress. A significant increment in chlorophyll a (18.97%), chlorophyll b (49.02%), and total chlorophyll (26.67%), compared to control under drought stress, confirmed the effectiveness of 0.4%ZQDB + Pro. Furthermore, improvement in leaves N, P, and K concentration over control validated the efficacy of 0.4%ZQDB + Pro against drought stress. In conclusion, 0.4%ZQDB + Pro can mitigate drought stress in chili. More investigations are suggested to declare 0.4%ZQDB + Pro as promising amendment for mitigation of drought stress in other crops as well under changing climatic situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of efficient and sustainable composites remains a primary objective of both research and industry. In this study, the use of biochar, an eco-friendly reinforcing material, in additive manufacturing (AM) is investigated. A high-density Polyethylene (HDPE) thermoplastic was used as the matrix, and the material extrusion (MEX) technique was applied for composite production. Biochar was produced from olive tree prunings via conventional pyrolysis at 500 °C. Composite samples were created using biochar loadings in the range of 2.0–10.0 wt. %. The 3D-printed samples were mechanically tested in accordance with international standards. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Raman spectroscopy were used to evaluate the thermal and structural properties of the composites. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the fractographic and morphological characteristics of the materials. The electrical/dielectric properties of HDPE/biochar composites were studied over a broad frequency range (10–2 Hz–4 MHz) at room temperature. Overall, a laborious effort with 12 different tests was implemented to fully characterize the developed composites and investigate the correlations between the different qualities. This investigation demonstrated that biochar in the MEX process can be a satisfactory reinforcement agent. Notably, compared to the control samples of pure HDPE, biochar increased the tensile strength by over 20% and flexural strength by 35.9% when added at a loading of 4.0 wt. %. The impact strength and microhardness were also significantly improved. Furthermore, the Direct current (DC) conductivity of insulating HDPE increased by five orders of magnitude at 8.0 wt. % of biochar content, suggesting a percolation threshold. These results highlight the potential of C-based composites for the use in additive manufacturing to further exploit their applicability by providing parts with improved mechanical performance and eco-friendly profiles. Highlights: The reinforcement of MEX 3D printed parts with eco-friendly biochar. Biochar was obtained from olive trees. Popular high-density polyethylene (HDPE) was the polymeric matrix in the study. biochar increased the tensile strength by over 20% and the flexural strength by 35.9% at a loading of 4 wt. %. The DC conductivity of the insulating HDPE increased by five orders of magnitude at 8 wt. % biochar loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, biochars with different structures were prepared through HNO3 oxidation and secondary pyrolysis to study the relationship between the structure of biochar and its selectivity for the adsorption of light and heavy aromatics in bio‐oil. The results showed that the adsorption rates of biochar with different structures ranged from 2.90 to 4.00 g bio‐oil per g biochar. The influence of pore structure was dominant, followed by the influence of O‐containing functional groups and the degree of graphitization. The higher the adsorption capacity of biochar for bio‐oil, the smaller the concentrations of the light aromatic model compounds in the absorbed bio‐oil (ABO). Among the five light aromatics, biochar has the best adsorption selectivity for dihydroxybiphenyl and the worst for eugenol and propyl phenol. This is attributed to the diphenyl ring structure of dihydroxybiphenyl, which makes it more susceptible to adsorption, and other light model compounds only have one benzene ring. In summary, biochar demonstrates better adsorption selectivity for heavy aromatics than light aromatics. The more developed the pore structure is, the more enriched O‐containing functional groups are, and the higher the graphitization degree of biochar is, the better the selective adsorption of aromatic compounds in bio‐oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyze a technology of hydrogen-rich gas from full-component oriented pyrolysis (FCOP) of biomass using energy, economic, and environmental life cycle assessment. Firstly, the study taked corn straw (CS) as the research object, the yield of hydrogen-rich gas and char produced by the oriented pyrolysis method are 78.26% and 20.35%, and the yield of biochar produced by activating char with phosphoric acid is 40%. Secondly, the system boundary of FCOP of biomass to produce hydrogen-rich gas and biochar was creatively designed, establishing the energy, environmental, and economic analysis comprehensive model. Various energy, economic, and environmental indicators were computed to facilitate process optimization for hydrogen-rich gas co-production biochar and explored the feasibility of the process. The results show that the stage of hydrogen-rich gas prepared by FCOP of biomass is an important factor affecting energy output and input, and has the highest standard pollutant emissions (92.11%). This process has low carbon emissions and GHG emissions, showing good sustainability and application prospects, which has important guiding significance for realizing cleaner production and solving the energy crisis. Thirdly, taking the large-scale system of producing hydrogen-rich gas co-production biochar, which processes 40,000 t of CS per year, as an example, the economic benefit analysis results were obtained, that is, IRR , NPV , and P m are 22%, 6.33 million yuan, and 7.3 years, respectively. Meanwhile, the key factors, including the initial investment, expenses of biomass and catalyst, and the sale income of hydrogen and biochar, which are the main factors affecting the economic efficiency of technology, and uncertainties were identified through sensitivity analysis. Finally, we put forward in the background of ecological civilization, the research focus and thinking for the development of hydrogen production technology from pyrolysis/gasification of biomass were proposed. The results obtained can be valuable in practical applications to enhance the sustainability and viability of hydrogen production in biomass conversion and utilization activities. The applied energy, economic, and environmental methodologies appear to be reliable and comprehensive tools for assessing the whole-life sustainability and viability of biofuel. [Display omitted] • Provides a detailed inventory for a hydrogen produced from pyrolysis of biomass. • An energy, environmental and economic model and indicators were established. • Anergy consumption, economic benefits and environmental emissions were studied. • Technology of hydrogen production has good feasibility and application prospects. • Enhance the sustainability and viability of hydrogen production from biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explored the influence of curtain climber fiber and Biochar derived from Kigelia pinnata fruit fiber on a polyepoxide‐based composite material's thermal, mechanical, dielectric, and mechanical properties. Before commencing the composite production process, the surface of the curtain climber fiber underwent treatment with a solution consisting of 5% silane to enhance the bonding between the fiber and the matrix. The hand layup method and compression molding were used to produce the composite panels and tested according to the appropriate standards set by the ASTM. According to these findings, the mechanical properties of the composites were enhanced by adding 30% curtain climber fiber and 5% biochar. The load distribution on the fiber was consistent throughout. The composite's highest strength (EFB3) was 183 MPa, its modulus was 5.9 GPa, and its flexural strength and modulus were 216 MPa and 6.1 GPa, respectively. The impact intensity is 8 J, and the hardness value is 95 on the Shore D scale. In addition, the EFB3 had a maximum interlaminar shear strength of 35 MPa. According to the findings of the SEM surface analysis, the matrix molecules exhibit adhesion to the fiber, which indicates increased bonding. The thermal conductivity and dielectric properties were high for composite with higher biochar particle content. These waste biomass‐converted fruit fiber biochar and curtain climber industrial crop fiber epoxide composite materials may be utilized in a variety of sectors, including aerospace, automotive, household domestic product manufacturing, and defense sectors. Highlights: Extraction and silane treatment of curtain climber fiber.Producing biochar from waste biomass Kigelia pinnata fiber.Fabrication of polyepoxide composite.Siloxane layer improves the strength.Biochar improves the properties of composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] To explore the practical significance of organic fertilizer combined with biochar in the production of flue-cured tobacco in Dali, Yunnan Province, the study was carried out from four aspects: the transformation of soil nutrients, the growth and development of tobacco plants, the carbon and nitrogen metabolism in tobacco plants and the yield and quality of tobacco leaves. [Method] The field experiment was conducted, and three treatments were set up: applying only organic fertilizer (Y), applying only biochar (S) and applying organic fertilizer with biochar (Y+S). The input amount of C, N, P and K elements in each treatment room was consistent. [Result] Y+S and Y treatments were more beneficial to the formation of plant height, stem circumference and leaf area than S treatments;the activities of nitrogen metabolism-related enzymes and carbon metabolism-related enzymes in the plant were the best in Y+S, and the biomass of the tobacco plant was the largest. Compared with Y and S treatments, the water soluble sugar and reducing sugar in the upper flue-cured tobacco leaves were increased by 8. 30-8. 95 and 4. 90-6. 09 percentage points, respectively, and the ratio of sugar to alkali and potassium to chlorine was 6. 29- 6. 97 and 0. 22-0. 27, significantly reducing the nicotine content by 0. 82%; Compared with Y treatment, Y+S treatment significantly reduced the nicotine content by 0. 38 percentage points and increased the proportion of equal tobacco, with an increase of 0. 09 and 0.24 respectively; the output of flue-cured tobacco increased by 186. 15 and 510. 9 kg/hm² respectively, and the output value of flue-cured tobacco increased significantly by 20 391. 45 and 27 688. 8 yuan/hm² respectively. [Conclusion] The treatment of organic fertilizer combined with biochar is higher than other treatments in agronomic traits and related enzyme activities, organic matter content in soil, total nitrogen and other nutrients, significantly increasing the yield and output value. The application of organic fertilizer combined with biochar is beneficial to further improve the quality of tobacco leaves in Dali Bay Bridge tobacco planting area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]