Faisal Saleem

The utilization of biomass waste for the production of biochar and activated carbon provides a useful approach for converting low-cost agricultural waste into value-added carbon materials. In this study, different biomass materials including rice husk, wheat straw and sawdust were used for the production of biochar. The effect of pyrolysis temperature and holding time on the biochar yield was investigated. The results showed that the biochar yield decreased with increasing temperature and holding time due to the higher decomposition of biomass and release of volatile compounds. Among the investigated biomass materials, rice husk showed the highest biochar yield, followed by wheat straw and sawdust. The prepared biochar was further activated using KOH and Na₂CO₃ at 700 °C for 1 h under nitrogen atmosphere. The effect of activating agent on the surface properties of the prepared activated carbon was investigated using BET and FTIR analysis. Among the different samples, KOH-activated sawdust showed the highest BET surface area of 555 m²/g with a pore volume of 0.357 cc/g. KOH-activated wheat straw showed a surface area of 142 m²/g, while Na₂CO₃-activated wheat straw and rice husk showed surface areas of 126 and 109 m²/g, respectively. The FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of different oxygen-containing and aromatic functional groups on the surface of the prepared carbon materials. Overall, the results showed that the type of biomass, pyrolysis conditions and activating agent have an important effect on the yield and surface properties of the prepared biochar and activated carbon.

In this study, activated carbon was prepared from rice husk using acidolysis, carbonization and chemical activation. The prepared activated carbon was characterized using BET, Raman, SEM, TEM and XRD analysis. The BET results showed a high surface area of approximately 747 m²/g. Raman analysis confirmed the presence of both graphitic and disordered carbon structures. SEM and TEM images showed a rough, porous and interconnected structure, while XRD confirmed the mainly amorphous nature of the activated carbon. The electrochemical performance of activated carbon-modified carbon felt (AC-CF) was compared with pristine carbon felt (PCF) in a VRFB. Both electrodes showed high current efficiencies of approximately 95-98%. Although PCF showed a slightly higher discharge capacity, AC-CF showed improved energy and voltage efficiencies. The energy efficiency of AC-CF was 85-87%, compared with 82-84% for PCF. Similarly, AC-CF showed higher voltage efficiency of approximately 86-88%. It can be seen that the high surface area and porous structure of rice husk-derived activated carbon provided additional active sites and improved the electrochemical performance. Overall, rice husk-derived activated carbon can be considered a promising, low-cost and sustainable material for VRFB electrode applications.

Epoxides derived from waste biomass are a promising avenue for the production of bio-based polymers, including polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanes, and polycarbonates.

Anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions contribute significantly to global warming and deplete fossil carbon resources, prompting a shift to bio-based raw materials.

Recently, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted ample consideration from the photovoltaic community owing to their continually-increasing power conversion efficiency (PCE), viable solution-processed methods, and inexpensive materials ingredients.

Numerous attempts have been made to produce new materials and technology for renewable energy and environmental improvements in response to global sustainable solutions stemming from fast industrial expansion and population growth. Zeolites are a group of crystalline materials having molecularly ordered micropore arrangements. Over the past few years, progress in zeolites has been observed in transforming biomass and waste into fuels. To ensure effective transition of fossil energy carriers into chemicals and fuels, zeolite catalysts play a key role; however, their function in biomass usage is more obscure. Herein, the effectiveness of zeolites has been discussed in the context of biomass transformation into valuable products. Established zeolites emphasise conversion of lignocellulosic materials into green fuels. Lewis acidic zeolites employ transition of carbohydrates into significant chemical production. Zeolites utilise several procedures, such as catalytic pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction, and hydro-pyrolysis, to convert biomass and lignocelluloses. Zeolites exhibit distinctive features and encounter significant obstacles, such as mesoporosity, pore interconnectivity, and stability of zeolites in the liquid phase. In order to complete these transformations successfully, it is necessary to have a thorough understanding of the chemistry of zeolites. Hence, further examination of the technical difficulties associated with catalytic transformation in zeolites will be required. This review article highlights the reaction pathways for biomass conversion using zeolites, their challenges, and their potential utilisation. Future recommendations for zeolite-based biomass conversion are also presented.