TRANSFORMATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOCHARS INTO ACTIVATED CARBON, WOOD PYROLYSIS FOR ENERGY GENERATION AT HIGH TEMPERATURES (800–1600°C)

Journal: Acta Chemica Malaysia (ACMY)
Author: Babatola Babatude Keji, Adebayo Samuel, Abiona Mujidat Ayobami, Ajide Adeolu Bamidele
ISSN: 2576-6732
e-ISSN: 2576-6724

This is an open access journal distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

DOI: 10.26480/acmy.01.2025.28.34

High-temperature pyrolysis of wood at 800–1600°C enhances biochar properties, such as high carbon content and energy density, making it suitable for energy generation. These properties can be further improved by upgrading biochar into activated carbon, expanding its potential applications. This study aims to investigate biochars’ chemical, structural, and energetic properties produced through pyrolysis and assess their potential for energy generation and environmental applications, including their transformation into activated carbon. Biochar was produced from mango tree (Mangifera indica) wood using incomplete combustion. Characterization was conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible spectroscopy, and water absorption capacity tests. Post-activation, changes in surface area, porosity, and adsorption properties were analyzed. XRD analysis revealed that the biochar was predominantly amorphous with some crystalline structures and a nanoscale grain size of 25.42 nm. UV-visible spectroscopy showed absorption peaks between 200 and 290 nm due to the biochar’s low-density characteristics. The water absorption capacity exceeded 100%, increasing the sample’s weight to 50 g in water. The biochar demonstrated enhanced surface area, porosity, and adsorption capacity post-activation. The findings highlight biochar’s suitability for diverse applications, including energy production, nanomaterial composites, and sensing devices. Activation expanded its potential for water purification, gas storage, and energy storage systems, positioning biochar as a versatile and sustainable material. The dual characterization of biochar underscores its potential for energy and environmental applications. The significant post-activation improvements suggest that biochar can serve as a key material in addressing energy and environmental challenges. This study uniquely demonstrates the simultaneous evaluation of biochar’s intrinsic and enhanced properties post-activation, offering new insights into its multifaceted applications in energy and environmental sustainability.