Co-pyrolysis of agricultural biomass for potentially functional biochar: combined influence of both feedstocks and structural characterization
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, cilt.16, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 16 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1038/s41598-026-45350-2
- Dergi Adı: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals, Zoological Record, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biological Science Database (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Agricultural biomass, Biochar, Co-pyrolysis, Structural characterization, Surface functionality, İnteraction effects
- Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study evaluates how the co-pyrolysis of two agricultural residues, corn stalk and rice husk, influences the physicochemical characteristics of the resulting biochar. Biochars were produced at 400 degrees C from each feedstock and from a 1:1 (w/w) mixture to assess interaction-driven behavior compared with the individual materials. The mixture biochar exhibited a broader particle-size distribution (SPAN = 3.36 +/- 0.14) than the single-feedstock biochars, while maintaining a comparable BET surface area (13.17 +/- 0.42 m2 g(-)1) relative to rice husk biochar (13.90 +/- 0.35 m2 g(-)1) and slightly higher than corn stalk biochar (11.96 +/- 0.28 m2 g(-)1). These results indicate that surface development was largely preserved despite particle coarsening, suggesting interaction effects between feedstocks rather than a purely additive mixing behavior. Zeta potential measurements showed negative surface charge for all samples (- 25.7 +/- 1.3 to - 33.7 +/- 1.2 mV), reflecting electrostatic surface characteristics associated with oxygen-containing functional groups and mineral phases, without being interpreted as direct evidence of adsorption performance. Mineral composition analysis revealed that the blended biochar integrated silica-rich and nutrient-associated inorganic phases, with Si, K, and Ca as major constituents. Spectroscopic and diffraction analyses further indicated a predominantly amorphous carbon matrix with retained mineral phases, while microscopy confirmed heterogeneous morphology consistent with the combined contribution of both biomass sources. Overall, co-pyrolysis at 400 degrees C produced a biochar with integrated structural and chemical characteristics derived from both residues. These physicochemical properties suggest potential relevance for environmental applications such as soil amendment or contaminant management; however, application-based experiments (e.g., soil incubation, sorption, or column tests) are required to verify nutrient retention and adsorption performance under realistic conditions.