The pressing issues of fossil fuel depletion and environmental degradation have spurred the search for sustainable solutions in energy production and carbon management. This research delves into the eco-friendly prospect of generating biochar from lignocellulosic biomass, specifically paddy straw. Given the undeniable contribution of contemporary fossil fuels to greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and climate change, a shift towards cleaner alternatives like biofuels becomes imperative. Paddy straw emerges as a promising feedstock due to its abundant availability and favorable attributes for biochar production. Its high lignocellulosic content and low ash levels render it particularly suitable. Various conversion methods, such as pyrolysis, gasification and hydrothermal processes can transform paddy straw into biochar, reaping multiple benefits. Biochar enhances soil fertility, sequesters carbon and mitigates methane emissions. Moreover, it offers a sustainable energy source and contributes to effective waste management. This abstract offers an encompassing view of paddy straw biochar production techniques, its inherent qualities, and its wide-ranging applications, underscoring its potential as a sustainable alternative to conventional fuels. By leveraging the distinctive features of paddy straw, we can simultaneously tackle energy and environmental challenges while promoting a circular economy.

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1. Ul-Haq A, Jalal M, Sindi HF, Ahmad S. Energy scenario in South Asia: analytical assessment and policy implications. IEEE Access. 2020;8:156190–207.
2. Bajpai R. The impact of bioenergy utilization on the ecosystem—toward a sustainable future. In: Bioenergy. Singapore: Springer; 2023. p. 79–98.
3. Ukaogo PO, Ewuzie U, Onwuka CV. Environmental pollution: causes, effects, and the remedies. In: Microorganisms for sustainable environment and health. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 2020. p. 419–29.
4. Singh RL, Singh PK. Global environmental problems. In: Principles and applications of environmental biotechnology for a sustainable future. 2017. p. 13–41.
5. Rahman A, Farrok O, Haque MM. Environmental impact of renewable energy source-based electrical power plants: solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, geothermal, tidal, ocean, and osmotic. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2022;161:112279.
6. Halder PK, Paul N, Joardder MU, Sarker M. Energy scarcity and potential of renewable energy in Bangladesh. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2015;51:1636–49.
7. Oumer AN, Hasan MM, Baheta AT, Mamat R, Abdullah AA. Bio-based liquid fuels as a source of renewable energy: a review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2018;88:82–98.
8. Ghosh SK. Biomass & bio-waste supply chain sustainability for bio-energy and bio-fuel production. Procedia Environ Sci. 2016;31:31–9.
9. Fatma S, Hameed A, Noman M, Ahmed T, Shahid M, Tariq M, et al. Lignocellulosic biomass: a sustainable bioenergy source for the future. Protein Pept Lett. 2018;25(2):148–63.
10. Bhutto AW, Qureshi K, Harijan K, Abro R, Abbas T, Bazmi AQ, et al. Insight into progress in pre-treatment of lignocellulosic biomass. Energy. 2017;122:724–45.
11. Kumar A, Samadder SR. Performance evaluation of anaerobic digestion technology for energy recovery from organic fraction of municipal solid waste: a review. Energy. 2020;197:117253.
12. Batra MC. Stubble burning in North-West India and its impact on health. J Chem Environ Sci Its Appl. 2017;4(1):13–18.
13. Qambrani NA, Rahman MM, Won S, Shim S, Ra C. Biochar properties and eco-friendly applications for climate change mitigation, waste management, and wastewater treatment: a review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2017;79:255–73.
14. Wang J, Wang S. Preparation, modification and environmental application of biochar: a review. J Clean Prod. 2019;227:1002–22.
15. Nguyen TB, Sherpa K, Bui XT, Nguyen VT, Chen CW, Dong CD. Biochar for soil remediation: a comprehensive review of current research on pollutant removal. Environ Pollut. 2023; [cited 2023 Oct];122571.
16. Dhyani V, Bhaskar T. A comprehensive review on the pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass. Renew Energy. 2018;129:695–716.
17. Gan J, Chen L, Chen Z, Zhang J, Yu W, Huang C, et al. Lignocellulosic biomass-based carbon dots: synthesis processes, properties, and applications. Small. 2023;2304066.
18. Xia Q, Chen C, Yao Y, He S, Wang X, Li J, et al. In situ lignin modification toward photonic wood. Adv Mater. 2021;33(8):2001588.
19. Kan T, Strezov V, Evans T, He J, Kumar R, Lu Q. Catalytic pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass: a review of variations in process factors and system structure. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2020;134:110305.
20. Niu Y, Lv Y, Lei Y, Liu S, Liang Y, Wang D. Biomass torrefaction: properties, applications, challenges, and economy. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2019;115:109395.
21. Lepage T, Kammoun M, Schmetz Q, Richel A. Biomass-to-hydrogen: a review of main routes production, processes evaluation and techno-economical assessment. Biomass Bioenergy. 2021;144:105920.
22. MacDermid-Watts K, Pradhan R, Dutta A. Catalytic hydrothermal carbonization treatment of biomass for enhanced activated carbon: a review. Waste Biomass Valorization. 2021;12:2171–86.
23. Varma RS. Biomass-derived renewable carbonaceous materials for sustainable chemical and environmental applications. ACS Sustain Chem Eng. 2019;7(7):6458–70.
24. Babu S, Rathore SS, Singh R, Kumar S, Singh VK, Yadav SK, et al. Exploring agricultural waste biomass for energy, food and feed production and pollution mitigation: a review. Bioresour Technol. 2022;127566.
25. Van Hung N, Maguyon-Detras MC, Migo MV, Quilloy R, Balingbing C, Chivenge P, et al. Rice straw overview: availability, properties, and management practices. In: Sustainable rice straw management. 2020. p. 1–13.
26. Chatzistathis T, Kavvadias V, Sotiropoulos T, Papadakis IE. Organic fertilization and tree orchards. Agriculture. 2021;11(8):692.
27. Yaashikaa PR, Senthil Kumar P, Varjani S, Saravanan A. A critical review on the biochar production techniques, characterization, stability and applications for circular bioeconomy. Biotechnol Reports. 2020;28:e00570.
28. Gummert M, Van Hung N, Chivenge P, Douthwaite B. Sustainable rice straw management. Singapore: Springer Nature; 2020.
29. Lucas FW, Grim RG, Tacey SA, Downes CA, Hasse J, Roman AM, et al. Electrochemical routes for the valorization of biomass-derived feedstocks: from chemistry to application. ACS Energy Lett. 2021;6(4):1205–70.
30. Zhuo Q, Liang Y, Hu Y, Shi M, Zhao C, Zhang S. Applications of biochar in medical and related environmental fields: current status and future perspectives. Carbon Res. 2023;2(1):32.
31. Yaashikaa PR, Senthil Kumar P, Varjani S, Saravanan A. A critical review on the biochar production techniques, characterization, stability and applications for circular bioeconomy. Biotechnol Reports. 2020;28:e00570.
32. Jain A, Sharma A, Jately V, Azzopardi B, editors. Sustainable energy solutions with artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and Internet of Things. CRC Press; 2023.
33. Quah RV, Tan YH, Mubarak NM, Khalid M, Abdullah EC, Nolasco-Hipolito C. An overview of biodiesel production using recyclable biomass and non-biomass derived magnetic catalysts. J Environ Chem Eng. 2019;7(4):103219.
34. Felix C, Ubando A, Madrazo C, Gue IH, Sutanto S, Tran-Nguyen PL, et al. Non-catalytic in-situ (trans) esterification of lipids in wet microalgae Chlorella vulgaris under subcritical conditions for the synthesis of fatty acid methyl esters. Appl Energy. 2019;248:526–37.
35. Younas M, Shafique S, Hafeez A, Javed F, Rehman F. An overview of hydrogen production: current status, potential, and challenges. Fuel. 2022;316:123317.
36. Valizadeh S, Khani Y, Farooq A, Kumar G, Show PL, Chen WH, et al. Microalgae gasification over Ni loaded perovskites for enhanced biohydrogen generation. Bioresour Technol. 2023;372:128638.
37. Ambaye TG, Rene ER, Dupont C, Wongrod S, Van Hullebusch ED. Anaerobic digestion of fruit waste mixed with sewage sludge digestate biochar: influence on biomethane production. Front Energy Res. 2020;8:31.
38. Sunyoto NMS, Zhu M, Zhang Z, Zhang D. Effect of biochar addition on hydrogen and methane production in two-phase anaerobic digestion of aqueous carbohydrates food waste. Bioresour Technol. 2016;219:29–36.
39. Yin Y, Liu Q, Wang J, Zhao Y. Recent insights in synthesis and energy storage applications of porous carbon derived from biomass waste: a review. Int J Hydrog Energy. 2022;47(93):39338–63.

The pressing issues of fossil fuel depletion and environmental degradation have spurred the search for sustainable solutions in energy production and carbon management. This research delves into the eco-friendly prospect of generating biochar from lignocellulosic biomass, specifically paddy straw. Given the undeniable contribution of contemporary fossil fuels to greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and climate change, a shift towards cleaner alternatives like biofuels becomes imperative. Paddy straw emerges as a promising feedstock due to its abundant availability and favorable attributes for biochar production. Its high lignocellulosic content and low ash levels render it particularly suitable. Various conversion methods, such as pyrolysis, gasification and hydrothermal processes can transform paddy straw into biochar, reaping multiple benefits. Biochar enhances soil fertility, sequesters carbon and mitigates methane emissions. Moreover, it offers a sustainable energy source and contributes to effective waste management. This abstract offers an encompassing view of paddy straw biochar production techniques, its inherent qualities, and its wide-ranging applications, underscoring its potential as a sustainable alternative to conventional fuels. By leveraging the distinctive features of paddy straw, we can simultaneously tackle energy and environmental challenges while promoting a circular economy.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Ul-Haq A, Jalal M, Sindi HF, Ahmad S. Energy scenario in South Asia: analytical assessment and policy implications. IEEE Access. 2020;8:156190–207.
2. Bajpai R. The impact of bioenergy utilization on the ecosystem—toward a sustainable future. In: Bioenergy. Singapore: Springer; 2023. p. 79–98.
3. Ukaogo PO, Ewuzie U, Onwuka CV. Environmental pollution: causes, effects, and the remedies. In: Microorganisms for sustainable environment and health. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 2020. p. 419–29.
4. Singh RL, Singh PK. Global environmental problems. In: Principles and applications of environmental biotechnology for a sustainable future. 2017. p. 13–41.
5. Rahman A, Farrok O, Haque MM. Environmental impact of renewable energy source-based electrical power plants: solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, geothermal, tidal, ocean, and osmotic. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2022;161:112279.
6. Halder PK, Paul N, Joardder MU, Sarker M. Energy scarcity and potential of renewable energy in Bangladesh. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2015;51:1636–49.
7. Oumer AN, Hasan MM, Baheta AT, Mamat R, Abdullah AA. Bio-based liquid fuels as a source of renewable energy: a review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2018;88:82–98.
8. Ghosh SK. Biomass & bio-waste supply chain sustainability for bio-energy and bio-fuel production. Procedia Environ Sci. 2016;31:31–9.
9. Fatma S, Hameed A, Noman M, Ahmed T, Shahid M, Tariq M, et al. Lignocellulosic biomass: a sustainable bioenergy source for the future. Protein Pept Lett. 2018;25(2):148–63.
10. Bhutto AW, Qureshi K, Harijan K, Abro R, Abbas T, Bazmi AQ, et al. Insight into progress in pre-treatment of lignocellulosic biomass. Energy. 2017;122:724–45.
11. Kumar A, Samadder SR. Performance evaluation of anaerobic digestion technology for energy recovery from organic fraction of municipal solid waste: a review. Energy. 2020;197:117253.
12. Batra MC. Stubble burning in North-West India and its impact on health. J Chem Environ Sci Its Appl. 2017;4(1):13–18.
13. Qambrani NA, Rahman MM, Won S, Shim S, Ra C. Biochar properties and eco-friendly applications for climate change mitigation, waste management, and wastewater treatment: a review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2017;79:255–73.
14. Wang J, Wang S. Preparation, modification and environmental application of biochar: a review. J Clean Prod. 2019;227:1002–22.
15. Nguyen TB, Sherpa K, Bui XT, Nguyen VT, Chen CW, Dong CD. Biochar for soil remediation: a comprehensive review of current research on pollutant removal. Environ Pollut. 2023; [cited 2023 Oct];122571.
16. Dhyani V, Bhaskar T. A comprehensive review on the pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass. Renew Energy. 2018;129:695–716.
17. Gan J, Chen L, Chen Z, Zhang J, Yu W, Huang C, et al. Lignocellulosic biomass-based carbon dots: synthesis processes, properties, and applications. Small. 2023;2304066.
18. Xia Q, Chen C, Yao Y, He S, Wang X, Li J, et al. In situ lignin modification toward photonic wood. Adv Mater. 2021;33(8):2001588.
19. Kan T, Strezov V, Evans T, He J, Kumar R, Lu Q. Catalytic pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass: a review of variations in process factors and system structure. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2020;134:110305.
20. Niu Y, Lv Y, Lei Y, Liu S, Liang Y, Wang D. Biomass torrefaction: properties, applications, challenges, and economy. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2019;115:109395.
21. Lepage T, Kammoun M, Schmetz Q, Richel A. Biomass-to-hydrogen: a review of main routes production, processes evaluation and techno-economical assessment. Biomass Bioenergy. 2021;144:105920.
22. MacDermid-Watts K, Pradhan R, Dutta A. Catalytic hydrothermal carbonization treatment of biomass for enhanced activated carbon: a review. Waste Biomass Valorization. 2021;12:2171–86.
23. Varma RS. Biomass-derived renewable carbonaceous materials for sustainable chemical and environmental applications. ACS Sustain Chem Eng. 2019;7(7):6458–70.
24. Babu S, Rathore SS, Singh R, Kumar S, Singh VK, Yadav SK, et al. Exploring agricultural waste biomass for energy, food and feed production and pollution mitigation: a review. Bioresour Technol. 2022;127566.
25. Van Hung N, Maguyon-Detras MC, Migo MV, Quilloy R, Balingbing C, Chivenge P, et al. Rice straw overview: availability, properties, and management practices. In: Sustainable rice straw management. 2020. p. 1–13.
26. Chatzistathis T, Kavvadias V, Sotiropoulos T, Papadakis IE. Organic fertilization and tree orchards. Agriculture. 2021;11(8):692.
27. Yaashikaa PR, Senthil Kumar P, Varjani S, Saravanan A. A critical review on the biochar production techniques, characterization, stability and applications for circular bioeconomy. Biotechnol Reports. 2020;28:e00570.
28. Gummert M, Van Hung N, Chivenge P, Douthwaite B. Sustainable rice straw management. Singapore: Springer Nature; 2020.
29. Lucas FW, Grim RG, Tacey SA, Downes CA, Hasse J, Roman AM, et al. Electrochemical routes for the valorization of biomass-derived feedstocks: from chemistry to application. ACS Energy Lett. 2021;6(4):1205–70.
30. Zhuo Q, Liang Y, Hu Y, Shi M, Zhao C, Zhang S. Applications of biochar in medical and related environmental fields: current status and future perspectives. Carbon Res. 2023;2(1):32.
31. Yaashikaa PR, Senthil Kumar P, Varjani S, Saravanan A. A critical review on the biochar production techniques, characterization, stability and applications for circular bioeconomy. Biotechnol Reports. 2020;28:e00570.
32. Jain A, Sharma A, Jately V, Azzopardi B, editors. Sustainable energy solutions with artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and Internet of Things. CRC Press; 2023.
33. Quah RV, Tan YH, Mubarak NM, Khalid M, Abdullah EC, Nolasco-Hipolito C. An overview of biodiesel production using recyclable biomass and non-biomass derived magnetic catalysts. J Environ Chem Eng. 2019;7(4):103219.
34. Felix C, Ubando A, Madrazo C, Gue IH, Sutanto S, Tran-Nguyen PL, et al. Non-catalytic in-situ (trans) esterification of lipids in wet microalgae Chlorella vulgaris under subcritical conditions for the synthesis of fatty acid methyl esters. Appl Energy. 2019;248:526–37.
35. Younas M, Shafique S, Hafeez A, Javed F, Rehman F. An overview of hydrogen production: current status, potential, and challenges. Fuel. 2022;316:123317.
36. Valizadeh S, Khani Y, Farooq A, Kumar G, Show PL, Chen WH, et al. Microalgae gasification over Ni loaded perovskites for enhanced biohydrogen generation. Bioresour Technol. 2023;372:128638.
37. Ambaye TG, Rene ER, Dupont C, Wongrod S, Van Hullebusch ED. Anaerobic digestion of fruit waste mixed with sewage sludge digestate biochar: influence on biomethane production. Front Energy Res. 2020;8:31.
38. Sunyoto NMS, Zhu M, Zhang Z, Zhang D. Effect of biochar addition on hydrogen and methane production in two-phase anaerobic digestion of aqueous carbohydrates food waste. Bioresour Technol. 2016;219:29–36.
39. Yin Y, Liu Q, Wang J, Zhao Y. Recent insights in synthesis and energy storage applications of porous carbon derived from biomass waste: a review. Int J Hydrog Energy. 2022;47(93):39338–63.