Biochar Activation: A Sustainable Carbon Production from Biomass

Biochar, derived from biomass pyrolysis, enhances soil fertility, water retention, and mitigates climate change. The global biochar market is projected to reach USD 3.82 billion by 2027. Activation processes, including chemical methods like sulfuric acid modification, enhance biochar's versatility. Modified biochar effectively retains sulfa methazine, improves soil pH, and demonstrates potential in soil enhancement, wastewater treatment, and heavy metal removal. The study explored 18 pyrolysis combinations, revealing physically and chemically activated cotton stalk bio-char characteristics, such as ash content, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and yields of bio-char, bio-oil, and pyro-gas. At 500°C, biochar fixed carbon was nearly three times higher than raw biomass, enhancing its efficacy.