Municipal solid and plastic waste derived high-performance biochar production: A comprehensive review

Abstract

The accumulation of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and Plastic Waste (PW) poses significant environmental challenges, necessitating sustainable waste management strategies. Thermochemical conversion for biochar production emerges as a promising solution. This review comprehensively examines thermochemical conversion methods for producing high-performance biochar from MSW and PW feedstocks, discussing fundamental processes like pyrolysis and gasification with emphasis on temperature, pressure, and residence time. Recent advancements in thermochemical technologies are highlighted, alongside discussions on feedstock characteristics, challenges, and applications spanning nanotechnology, agriculture, and other sectors, integrating environmental and economic assessments. The review identifies technological barriers, research gaps, and future directions in thermochemical conversion, advocating for interdisciplinary collaboration to advance sustainable waste management practices. Moreover, the study underscores a research gap in utilizing co-pyrolysis products from MSW and PW, noting biochar's enhanced properties—increased surface area, carbon retention, and diverse functional groups—potentially enhancing quality across diverse applications. This highlights a novel area warranting further research and innovation to fully exploit MSW-PW derived biochar's potential. In summary, this manuscript consolidates current research, provides fresh insights, and encourages collaborative efforts to tackle environmental challenges through innovative waste management practices.