Characteristics of wood sawdust-derived biochar: potential as adsorbent material

Biochar is a potential additive for agricultural soil and can be used as an eco-friendly and economical adsorbent material. Biochar properties are affected by several technological parameters, mainly pyrolysis temperature and feedstock, which differentiation can lead to products with a wide range of characteristics. The biochar sample was produced from wood sawdust at 450˚C via slow pyrolysis and was characterized. Parameters characterized to include: physical properties (bulk density, porosity), chemical properties (composition, pH, conductivity, cation exchange capacity), hydraulic property (water holding capacity), proximate analysis, X-ray diffractometry to obtain information on the mineralogical composition, among others. The analysis of biochar properties is important for determining the biochar application.