Work

Bamboo Derived Charcoal for Highly-Efficient Photothermal Evaporation Materials

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Bamboo-derived biochar (BC) is promising for high-salinity wastewater treatment through photothermal evaporation. This study systematically evaluated BCs synthesized at 400–800 °C with residence times of 40 or 70 min. Pyrolysis temperature proved dominant, with 600 °C representing a critical threshold. Below this temperature, BCs maintained high carbon content and polar functional groups but exhibited limited porosity. Above it, structural reorganization enhanced pore development and aromaticity while reducing polar surface groups. Residence time primarily influenced volatile retention, and prolonged pyrolysis led to pore collapse. The optimal BC—produced at 800 °C for 40 min—combined hierarchical porosity with balanced surface chemistry, achieving an evaporation rate of 1.21 kg/m2·h and a photothermal efficiency of 70.45% under high-salinity conditions. Mechanistic analysis indicates that short, high-temperature pyrolysis preserves structural integrity and interfacial activity with minimal energy input. These results establish a thermal processing approach that reconciles carbon stability with surface functionality, offering practical guidance for scaling efficient and sustainable biochar-based wastewater treatment systems.

Source: Separations

DOI: 10.3390/separations13020044

Authors: Wenmu Feng, Shushan Yuan, Junyao Dai, Jiran Wu, Bing Li, Yue Wang

Institutions: Hubei University of Automotive Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Responsible consumption and production, Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137