Transforming natural waste into biochar for sustainable environmental remediation

Increasing urbanization and industrial expansion has severely affected water quality on earth, motivating researchers to explore modern approaches to address this issue. Adsorption and degradation of pollutants have been primary methods for wastewater treatments, and adsorption has been simplest. Biochar, nanobiochar, derived from pyrolyzed biomass, are highly efficient adsorbents to remove industrial pollutants, thereby enhancing water quality for safe consumption. This review paper is all about biochar, with an in-depth discussion of its structural and functional properties, and applications. The synthesis of biochar is systematically analyzed, encompassing both conventional and advanced methodologies with critical evaluation of their respective advantages and limitations. Special emphasis is placed on advanced thermochemical conversion techniques and their role in tailoring biochar/nanobiochar for environmental remediation. Sustainability perspectives of using biochar are included by the end of the review paper.