Kaur et al., published a study in Renewable Energy that explores the use of biosolids-derived activated biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More to enhance the production of valuable chemicals from spent Eucalyptus nicholii biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More. The research highlights that activated biochar, particularly when treated with H3​PO4​, significantly improves the yield of phenolics and hydrocarbons in bio-oil. This approach offers a sustainable alternative to traditional catalysts and contributes to more efficient biomass conversion.  

Biomass is increasingly recognized as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, and pyrolysis—the thermal decomposition of biomass in the absence of oxygen—is a promising method to convert biomass into bio-oil. However, bio-oil often requires upgrading to improve its quality and increase the yield of valuable chemicals like phenolics and hydrocarbons. Catalytic pyrolysisPyrolysis is a thermochemical process that converts waste biomass into bio-char, bio-oil, and pyro-gas. It offers significant advantages in waste valorization, turning low-value materials into economically valuable resources. Its versatility allows for tailored products based on operational conditions, presenting itself as a cost-effective and efficient More, which involves using catalysts to influence the chemical reactions during pyrolysis, is crucial for this upgrading process.  

In this study, the authors investigated the effectiveness of biochar derived from biosolids—a byproduct of wastewater treatment—as a catalyst. They found that biochar activated with H3​PO4​ resulted in a bio-oil with a high content of phenolics (69.7 area%) and hydrocarbons (13.7 area%) at an optimized pyrolysis temperature of 400°C.

The study demonstrates that these carbo-catalysts improve the selectivity of valuable compounds in bio-oil due to their enriched surface functionalities and high surface area.  

SOURCE: Kaur, R., Krishna, B. B., Rathnayake, N., Bhaskar, T., & Shah, K. (2025). Role of carbo-catalyst on upgrading the pyrolysis vapors of spent Eucalyptus nicholii biomass: Towards sustainable phenolics production. Renewable Energy, 242, 122468.