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Development Characterization and Application of Biochar-Based Composites

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Carbon Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 5900

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, Italy
Interests: raman spectroscopy; carbon materials characterization; biochar-based composites; color sensors; nanostructured materials; carbon nanodots

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Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, Italy
Interests: structural dynamics; metal replacement; gears; innovative material; friction reduction
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The main purpose of this Special Issue is to present an extensive collection of articles about the development, characterization and application of biochar-based composites. In particular, we will discuss the use and characterization of different biochar-based fillers, pointing out their amazing properties which often are comparable with more costly materials. In the actual research panorama, composites have been developed using CNTs and graphene but, due to the high cost of the filler, these materials had a limited impact on large scale and industrial applications. On the contrary, biochar, principally used in soil amendment applications, represents a good alternative to other costly fillers. Biochar-based fillers can now have new and attractive applications due to their low cost, large availability and smart properties. It is proven the biochar-based fillers can provide comparable characteristics to the matrix; indeed, they are sometimes even better than more costly fillers, making them competitive. Some examples are the successful use of biochar fillers for creating sensors based on biochar’s electrical and piezoelectrical properties. Biochar-based composites have also shown very good mechanical properties that greatly enhanced matrix behaviour accordingly with the particular characteristic of the chosen filler, both in terms of resistance and friction. Biochar is a green and environmental friendly material and, since biochar is derived from biomasses pyrolysis, it is important to point out not only the properties of the final product but also to focus on standard production methods that tend to limit variation of properties due to different precursor feedstocks. In this Special Issue, the best researchers in the field will propose detailed discussions based on their experience, in order to bolster the interest around this new class of filler materials.

Dr. Massimo Rovere
Dr. Carlo Rosso
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • biochar-filled composite
  • electrical properties
  • mechanical properties
  • sensors

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 7222 KiB  
Article
Sensitive and Selective Electrochemical Detection of Lead(II) Based on Waste-Biomass-Derived Carbon Quantum Dots@Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8
by Qing Liu, Xiang Gao, Zhibao Liu, Ligang Gai, Yan Yue and Hongfang Ma
Materials 2023, 16(9), 3378; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16093378 - 26 Apr 2023
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 1983
Abstract
An electrochemical sensor based on carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) composite was fabricated to detect lead(II). The CQDs (2.47 ± 0.52 nm) were synthesized from platanus acerifoli leaves by carbonization and the hydrothermal method. Under the optimal conditions, the [...] Read more.
An electrochemical sensor based on carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) composite was fabricated to detect lead(II). The CQDs (2.47 ± 0.52 nm) were synthesized from platanus acerifoli leaves by carbonization and the hydrothermal method. Under the optimal conditions, the fabricated electrochemical sensor had excellent performance in detecting Pb2+. The linear range for Pb2+ was 1 nM–1 μM, and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.04 nM and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.14 nM. Moreover, when the solution contained Pb2+ and Cd2+, the linear range for Pb2+ was 50 nM to 1 μM and the LOD was 0.02 nM. When the solution contained Pb2+ and Cu2+, the linear range for Pb2+ was 50 nM–750 nM and LOD was 0.07 nM. Furthermore, even if the solution contained Pb2+, Cd2+ and Cu2+, the linear range for Pb2+ was 50 nM–1 μM and the LOD was 0.04 nM. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) results indicated that the composite electrode materials had abundant oxygen-containing functional groups, a large specific surface area and pore structure, which are conducive to the adsorption of heavy metal ions and improve the detection performance. Full article
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12 pages, 2645 KiB  
Article
Preparation of Ganoderma Lucidum Bran-Based Biological Activated Carbon for Dual-Functional Adsorption and Detection of Copper Ions
by Baoying Wang, Jingming Lan, Chunmiao Bo, Bolin Gong and Junjie Ou
Materials 2023, 16(2), 689; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16020689 - 10 Jan 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1563
Abstract
In this paper, Ganoderma lucidum bran was explored as the precursor to fabricate biomass activated carbon. When potassium hydroxide was selected as an activator (1:6, mass ratio of AC-12 to potassium hydroxide), and the activation condition was 700 °C at 5 h, the [...] Read more.
In this paper, Ganoderma lucidum bran was explored as the precursor to fabricate biomass activated carbon. When potassium hydroxide was selected as an activator (1:6, mass ratio of AC-12 to potassium hydroxide), and the activation condition was 700 °C at 5 h, the highest specific surface area reached 3147 m2 g−1. Carbon dots were prepared with citric acid monohydrate and thiourea as precursors and then loaded onto the surface of activated carbon by a simple and green method. Activated carbon for dual-functional had a high adsorption capacity. Additionally, based on its unique optical properties, the fluorescence response for detecting copper ion was established. The fluorescence intensity of the materials decreased linearly with the increase of copper ion concentration, in the range of 10–50 nmol L−1. The research opened up a new way for applying biomass activated carbon in the field of adsorption and detection. Highlights: (1) Carbon dots were loaded on the surface of activated carbon; (2) the simultaneous adsorption and detection were realized; (3) it provides a way for the preparation of dual-functional materials. Full article
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9 pages, 1207 KiB  
Communication
Enhanced Production of Biogas Using Biochar–Sulfur Composite in the Methane Fermentation Process
by Ewa Syguła, Michalina Gałęzowska and Andrzej Białowiec
Materials 2022, 15(13), 4517; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15134517 - 27 Jun 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1746
Abstract
The methane fermentation of organic waste is one way to minimize organic waste, which accounts for 77% of the global municipal waste stream. The use of biochar as an additive for methane fermentation has been shown to increase the production potential of biogas. [...] Read more.
The methane fermentation of organic waste is one way to minimize organic waste, which accounts for 77% of the global municipal waste stream. The use of biochar as an additive for methane fermentation has been shown to increase the production potential of biogas. Sulfur waste has a potential application to synergistic recycling in a form of composites with other materials including biochar. A composite product in the form of a mixture of biochar and molten sulfur has been proposed. In this experiment, additions of the sulfur–biochar composite (SBC) were tested to improve the fermentation process. The biochar was produced from apple chips under the temperature of 500 °C. The ground biochar and sulfur (<1 mm particle size) were mixed in the proportion of 40% biochar and 60% sulfur and heated to 140 °C for sulfur melting. After cooling, the solidified composite was ground. The SBC was added in the dose rate of 10% by dry mass of prepared artificial kitchen waste. Wet anaerobic digestion was carried out in the batch reactors under a temperature of 37 °C for 21 days. As an inoculum, the digestate from Bio-Wat Sp. z. o. o., Świdnica, Poland, was used. The results showed that released biogas reached 672 mL × gvs−1, and the yield was 4% higher than in the variant without the SBC. Kinetics study indicated that the biogas production constant rate reached 0.214 d−1 and was 4.4% higher than in the variant without the SBC. Full article
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