(2022) International Materials Reviews_Multifunctional applications of biochar beyond carbon storage

Bolan N., Hoang S.A., Beiyuan J., Gupta S., Hou D., Karakoti A., Joseph S., Jung S., Kim K.-H., Kirkham M.B., Kua H.W., Kumar M., Kwon E.E., Ok Y.S., Perera V., Rinklebe J., Shaheen S.M., Sarkar B., Sarmah A.K., Singh B.P., Singh G., Tsang D.C.W., Vikrant K., Vithanage M., Vinu A., Wang H., Wijesekara H., Yan Y., Younis S.A., Van Zwieten L.

(Taylor and Francis Ltd.) International Materials Reviews ISSN: 9506608 Vol.67 Issue.2 Article No. DOI: 10.1080/09506608.2021.1922047

Biochar is produced as a charred material with high surface area and abundant functional groups by pyrolysis, which refers to the process of thermochemical decomposition of organic material at elevated temperatures in the absence of oxygen. The carbon component in biochar is relatively stable, and, hence, biochar was originally proposed as a soil amendment to store carbon in the soil. Biochar has multifunctional values that include the use of it for the following purposes: soil amendment to improve soil health, nutrient and microbial carrier, immobilising agent for remediation of toxic metals and organic contaminants in soil and water, catalyst for industrial applications, porous material for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and odorous compounds, and feed supplement to improve animal health and nutrient intake efficiency and, thus, productivity. This article provides for the first time an overview of the multifunctional values and unintended consequences of biochar applications. © 2021 Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and ASM International Published by Taylor & Francis on behalf of the Institute and ASM International.

We would like to acknowledge support by the R&D Center for Green Patrol Technologies through the R&D for Global Top Environmental Technologies funded by the Ministry of Environment (MOE) of Korea, as well as by a grant from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT, & Future Planning (Grant No: 2016R1E1A1A01940995).