A multidimensional approach to evaluating the influence of temperature and pyrolysis duration on rice husk biochar characteristics

Abstract This work uses a comprehensive analytical method to examine the properties of rice husk biochar at varying pyrolysis temperatures (300°C and 350°C) and periods (30 to 90 minutes). Biochar production was conducted at two specific temperatures and five varying durations within a controlled pyrolysis process. After pyrolysis, biochar was analyzed through energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) to determine its chemical composition and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to assess its surface morphology. The data analysis utilized Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to identify patterns in the composition data and linear regression to evaluate the relationship between temperature, duration, and biochar characteristics. This study showed that higher pyrolysis temperatures (350°C) and extended durations (75-90 minutes) significantly improved biochar’s porosity, surface area, carbon content, and alkaline pH. However, The nitrogen and hydrogen concentrations significantly decreased at elevated temperatures. The ash and moisture content exhibited complex variations influenced by the duration and temperature of pyrolysis. The duration and temperature of the pyrolysis process significantly affect the biochar’s physical and chemical properties. Elevated temperatures enhance specific material characteristics, resulting in compositional variations that provide insights for biochar applications in waste and soil management.