Production and characterization of coconut shell and mesquite wood biochar

Abstract

Biochar derived from Coconut shell and Mesquite wood had. A significant variation was observed in pH and EC. Coconut shell biochar had higher cation exchange capacity of 11.93 cmol(p+)kg-1, zeta potential of -42.2mV compared to mesquite wood biochar. At low magnification (1000 x), the size of the pores diameter varied from 7.26 µm to 10.00µm and length is varied from12.95 µm to 15.69µm. It is a highest pore diameter and length compared to mesquite wood biochar. Particle size of the coconut shell (56.4nm) is lower compared to mesquite wood biochar (87.4nm). Functional properties of amines, allenes, ketones, amides, alcohols, aldehydes and aromatics groups are present in coconut shell biochar. Mesquite wood biochar had alkanes, amines, alkynes, alcohols and aromatics. These biochar were subsequently characterized regarding their main properties, in order to evaluate their potential use in soil and waste water remediation.