S. Bera, R. Rao, L. Pal
North Carolina State University,
United States
Keywords: biochar, MSW, high surface area
Summary:
Biochar derived from the cellulose-rich fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW) offers a sustainable route for resource recovery, yet its limited surface area often restricts practical applications. This study focuses on optimizing the surface structure of MSW paper waste-derived biochar to enhance its physicochemical properties. Various activation strategies, including chemical and physical treatments, were employed to generate a hierarchical pore network and increase accessible surface sites. The activation process significantly improved porosity, specific surface area, and functional group density, thereby enhancing adsorption and catalytic potential. Characterization revealed well-developed micro-mesoporous structures and improved carbon reactivity compared to pristine biochar. These modifications render the engineered biochar a versatile platform for environmental applications such as pollutant removal and energy storage. This work provides a sustainable strategy for converting MSW into high-performance functional materials through targeted surface engineering.