Advances and future directions of biochar characterization methods and applications
Abstract
Biochar is a carbon-rich by-product of the thermal conversion of organic feedstocks and is primarily used as a soil amendment. Identification and quantification of biochar properties are important to ensure optimal outcomes for agricultural or environmental applications. Advanced spectroscopic techniques have recently been adopted in biochar characterization. However, biochar characterization approaches rely entirely on the user's choice and accessibility to the new technology. The selection of proper methods is vital to accurately and consistently assess biochar properties. This review critically evaluates current biochar characterization methods of proximate, ultimate, physicochemical, surface and structural analyses, and important biochar properties for various applications.
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Most biochars contain high amounts of soluble salts, and hence the electrical conductivity of biochar is generally higher than most agricultural soils.
“Most biochars contain high amounts of soluble salts, and, hence, the EC of biochar is generally higher than most agricultural soils (Igalavithana et al. 2018).”
From Biochar and its importance on nutrient dynamics in soil and plant (2020) · cites this paper as Igalavithana et al. 2018
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References 226 · Cited by 321
- Authors
- Igalavithana, A. D., Mandal, S., Niazi, N. K., Vithanage, M., Parikh, S. J., Mukome, F. N. D., Rizwan, M., Oleszczuk, P., Al-Wabel, M., Bolan, N., Tsang, D. C. W., Kim, K.-H., & Ok, Y. S.
- Affiliations
- Kangwon National University (KR)
- University of South Australia (AU)
- University of Bremen (DE)
- National Institute of Fundamental Studies (LK)
- University of California, Davis (US)
- William Jessup University (US)
- Government College University, Faisalabad (PK)
- Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (PL)
- King Saud University (SA)
- University of Newcastle Australia (AU)
- Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HK)
- Hanyang University (KR)
- Korea University (KR)
- Corresponding author
- Kim, Ki-Hyun
- Ok, Yong Sik
- ORCID
- Venue
- Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2017-12-02
- Volume
- 47
- Issue
- 23
- Pages
- 2275-2330
- ISSN
- 1064-3389 (ISSN-L)
- 1547-6537
- OpenAlex
- W2790801624
- Cited by
- 321
- References
- 226
- Citations by year
- 2026: 29 · 2025: 43 · 2024: 50 · 2023: 51 · 2022: 38 · 2021: 37 · 2020: 37 · 2019: 25 · 2018: 11
- FWCI
- 8.98
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology (publishedVersion)
- Rare & Special e-Zone (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) (submittedVersion)
- PolyU Institutional Research Archive (Hong Kong Polytechnic University) (submittedVersion)
- NOVA (University of Newcastle Australia) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Thermochemical Biomass Conversion Processes
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Adsorption and biosorption for pollutant removal
- Keywords
- biochar, biochar characterization, spectroscopic characterization, proximate analysis, elemental analysis, physicochemical properties, surface properties, structural properties, soil amendment, biochar amendment
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