Release characteristics of hydrochar-derived dissolved organic matter: Effects of hydrothermal temperature and environmental conditions

Abstract

Much research has been done on the preparation and application of hydrochars, but research on the release characteristics of hydrochar-derived dissolved organic matter (HDOM) is very limited; clarifying the release characteristics of HDOM is important for understanding and adjusting the environmental behaviour of hydrochar. Herein, the potential release of HDOM from rice straw-derived hydrochars prepared at different hydrothermal temperatures was investigated under various potential environmental conditions for the first time. The total release quantity and humification degree of HDOM decreased with increasing hydrothermal temperature. The critical dividing line for various hydrothermal reactions, decomposition and polymerization, was in the range of 240 °C–260 °C. Alkaline condition increased the HDOM release amount (up to 299 mg g−1), molecular weight (as high as 423 Da) and molecular diversity (8857 compounds) from rice straw-derived hydrochars. The unique substances of HDOM released under alkaline condition were mainly distributed in lipids-like substances, CRAM/lignins-like substances, aromatic structures, and tannins-like substances, while few unique substances were found under acidic condition. Additionally, CRAM/lignins-like substances were the most abundant in all HDOM samples, reaching 82%, which were relatively stable and could achieve carbon sequestration in different environments. The findings provided a new insight on understanding the potential environment behaviors of hydrochar.