Pyrolysis processes affecting polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon profile of pineapple leaf biochar exemplified by atmosphere/temperature and heteroatom doping

Abstract

The content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in pineapple leaf biochar was examined as a function of pyrolysis atmosphere (CO2 or N2), pyrolysis temperature (300–900 °C), and heteroatom (N, B, O, P, NP, or NS) doping. Without doping, the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon production was maximal (1332 ± 27 ng/g) in CO2 at 300 °C and minimal (157 ± 2 ng/g) in N2 at 700 °C. The main components naphthalene and acenaphthylene accounted for about 91% of the total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in the biochar prepared under CO2 at 300 °C. Under the maximal polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon production conditions (CO2, 300 °C), doping decreased the total hydrocarbon content by 49% (N), 61% (B), 73% (O), 92% (P), 93% (NB), and 96% (NS). The results shed new light on the management of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in BC production by controlling the pyrolysis atmosphere and temperature in addition to heteroatom doping. Results significantly contributed to the development of circular bioeconomy.