The magic of algae-based biochar: advantages, preparation, and applications

Bioengineered. 2023 Dec;14(1):2252157. doi: 10.1080/21655979.2023.2252157.

Abstract

Compared with other biomass sources, the use of algae as a raw material to prepare biochar (BC) has important advantages including safety, high yield and economy. The protein content of algae cells is as high as 3.2 mg DCW/L, and the graphitic-N and N-O functional groups generated by the pyrolysis of proteins could effectively activate free radicals. Combined with the generated pore structure, the electron transfer/exchange capability was enhanced, which is conducive to improving its catalytic performance. Algae as a natural N source, the manuscript analyzed the surface properties and physicochemical properties of algae-based BC, and investigated its degradation effect on organic/inorganic pollutants in wastewater. Subsequently, the effect of nitrogen-doped BC on the adsorption/catalysis capacity was discussed. Finally, the directed preparation of algae-based BC applied in different scenarios was summarized. Algae-based BC has the property of N doping, which broadens its application efficiency in the environmental field. Overall, this manuscript reviews how to achieve efficient utilization of algae-based BC in wastewater.

Keywords: Algal biomass; biomass reuse; carbon neutrality; environmental protection; sewage treatment.

Plain language summary

Toxin type and domain sequence affect accumulation of recombinant immunotoxins.Transient expression in plant cell packs and intact plants correlates well.IC50 values of toxicity correlate with the cell surface receptor concentration.

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Biomass
  • Catalysis
  • Wastewater*

Substances

  • biochar
  • Wastewater

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (Harbin Institute of Technology) (No. 2022TS13), the Key Projects of National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 2019YFC0408503), the National Science Foundation of China (No. 51961165104), Heilongjiang Province Fundamental Scientific Research Expenses of Undergraduate Universities (No. 2020CX05), Heilongjiang Province key research and development plan guidance project (GZ20210140).