Pooja Dhiman, Manisha Dhiman, Arush Sharma, Manita Thakur, Sourav Gautam and Ajay Kumar, Role of 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 as support material for Photo catalytic operation: A Review, Sustainable Chemistry for the Environment, (2024) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scenv.2024.100174

Biochar, a carbon-rich material derived from the 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 of organic waste, has emerged as a versatile tool in environmental remediation, particularly in the field of photocatalysis. This review highlights biochar’s role as a support material for photocatalytic processes, emphasizing its unique physical and chemical properties.

Biochar offers advantages such as high surface area, porosityPorosity of biochar is a key factor in its effectiveness as a soil amendment and its ability to retain water and nutrients. Biochar’s porosity is influenced by feedstock type and pyrolysis temperature, and it plays a crucial role in microbial activity and overall soil health. Biochar More, and diverse active surface functionalities, making it ideal for pollutant adsorptionBiochar has a remarkable ability to attract and hold onto pollutants, like heavy metals and organic chemicals. This makes it a valuable tool for cleaning up contaminated soil and water.   More and catalysis. These properties enhance its use in photocatalytic degradation, where biochar supports the breakdown of harmful organic pollutants through light-activated processes. Its effectiveness in removing contaminants like heavy metals, dyes, and pharmaceuticals from wastewater is particularly notable. In these applications, biochar supports catalysts such as titanium dioxide (TiO2), improving both the efficiency of the catalyst and the pollutant degradation process.

However, challenges remain, including the release of harmful gases during biochar production and the variability of its effectiveness based on 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 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. Additionally, further research is needed to optimize biochar’s mechanical strength, reusability, and environmental stability. Despite these limitations, biochar-based photocatalysis shows promise for large-scale wastewater treatment, offering a sustainable, cost-effective solution for addressing industrial pollution.

Future studies will focus on enhancing biochar’s properties for broader environmental applications, ensuring its role in achieving cleaner water and a more sustainable environment.