Recent study by Dimberu G. Atinafu published in 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 , examines how biochar can revolutionize thermal energy storage. This research investigates the role of 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 feedstockFeedstock refers to the raw organic material used to produce biochar. This can include a wide range of materials, such as wood chips, agricultural residues, and animal manure. More and 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 temperature in optimizing biochar-based composite materials. Read the very recent exploration.

The study demonstrates that biochar, produced through pyrolysis of biomass under oxygen-limited conditions, serves as an eco-friendly and cost-effective support material for phase-change materials (PCMs). Using hexadecane (HXD) as a PCM, the authors analyzed composites derived from rice husk, Miscanthus straw, and wheat straw biochars prepared at 550°C and 700°C. Notably, rice husk biochar at 700°C (RH700) exhibited superior performance, with the highest enthalpy per unit mass (250.9 J/g), attributed to its enhanced surface area and pore structure.

Additionally, the study highlights biochar’s ability to improve thermal stability and leakage resistance in composites. Even after 500 heating-cooling cycles, the materials maintained high latent heat efficiency (99.5–100%), indicating durability and reliability for long-term applications. These findings support the use of biochar-based composites in thermal management systems for renewable energy storage and building energy efficiency.

This research underscores the importance of tailoring biochar production parameters, such as feedstock selection and pyrolysis temperature, to optimize material properties for specific applications. It offers valuable insights into sustainable solutions for thermal energy storage and the broader adoption of renewable energy technologies.

SOURCE: Atinafu, D. G., Choi, J. Y., Nam, J., Kang, Y., & Kim, S. (2025). Insights into the effects of biomass feedstock and pyrolysis conditionsThe conditions under which pyrolysis takes place, such as temperature, heating rate, and residence time, can significantly affect the properties of the biochar produced.   More on the energy storage capacity and durability of standard biochar-based phase-change composites. Biochar, 7(18). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-024-00396-