Agricultural and textile waste pose significant global environmental challenges. However, a recent study by E. C. Emenike and colleagues, published in the International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, offers an innovative solution: producing enhanced 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 through the co-carbonization of plantain stalks and polyester fabric waste. This pioneering research transforms two problematic waste streams into a value-added product, aligning with circular economy principles and sustainable waste management.

The study involved combining 90% plantain stalks with 10% waste polyester fabric and processing them in an auto-thermal carbonization reactor. The resulting hybrid biochar demonstrated properties superior to those of biochar made solely from plantain stalks. Specifically, the hybrid biochar achieved a 39.6% yield at a peak temperature of 426.7∘C, compared to a 37.2% yield at 395.93∘C for the pristine biochar. This 2.4% increase in yield is consistent with enhanced carbon retention from the synthetic polymer component.

Surface characterization revealed significant improvements in the hybrid material. The hybrid biochar exhibited a 29% greater surface area (492.172 m2/g) than the pristine biochar (381.762 m2/g). It also showed a 9% higher pore volume (0.273 cc/g versus 0.25 cc/g) and a 15% larger pore diameter (2.123 nm versus 1.853 nm). The pristine plantain stalk biochar was found to be microporous (pore diameter less than 2 nm), while the hybrid biochar was classified as mesoporous (pore diameter between 2 and 50 nm), making it suitable for applications in energy conversion, photocatalysis, adsorption, and energy storage.

Morphological analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that the hybrid biochar had a smoother surface with fewer, but more clustered, whitish particles, contrasting with the rougher surface and dispersed particles of the plantain stalk-only biochar. This suggests that even a small amount of polymer significantly influences the microstructural characteristics of the resulting biochar. Functional group analysis by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the retention of key functional groups, although the hybrid biochar showed fewer distinct bands compared to the pristine biochar, a change attributed to the polyester fabric’s incorporation.

Elemental composition analysis using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) revealed that the hybrid biochar contained more potassium (35.13 wt%) compared to the pristine biochar (19.12 wt%). This makes the hybrid biochar particularly promising for agricultural applications as a fertilizer and feed supplement. While the study identified carbon, potassium, and silicon in the pristine biochar, the hybrid biochar also showed trace amounts of oxygen and americium. The presence of americium, a transuranic element, warrants further investigation to rule out analytical interference or contamination.

The improved properties of the hybrid biochar suggest its potential for diverse applications, including soil amendmentA soil amendment is any material added to the soil to enhance its physical or chemical properties, improving its suitability for plant growth. Biochar is considered a soil amendment as it can improve soil structure, water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial activity.   More for nutrient retention and plant growth enhancement, contaminant adsorption, water treatment, filtration systems, catalyst supports, and energy storage. However, the authors emphasize the critical need for comprehensive safety and environmental impact assessments before widespread implementation. Future research should prioritize optimizing processing parameters, conducting toxicity assessments, particularly regarding microplastic release and long-term stability in soil systems, and scaling up production for industrial applications.

Source: Emenike, E. C., Al-Senani, G. M., Al-Qahtani, S. D., Micheal, K. T., Iwuozor, K. O., Egbemhenghe, A. U., & Adeniyi, A. G. (2025). Innovative biochar production by co-carbonisation of plantain stalks with polyester fabric wastes. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology.