Solar Pyrolysis of Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB): Biochar Characterization and Potential Applications

Solar pyrolysis technology offers a sustainable approach to valorise Malaysia’s abundant solar energy as well as biomass resources from the palm oil industry. This study focuses on the characterization of biochar produced from solar pyrolysis of empty fruit bunches (EFB) using a Fresnel lens as a solar concentrator. Characterization of the biochar was conducted using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). TGA results showed that biochar exhibited enhanced thermal stability, retaining 47.8 % of its mass at 500 °C compared to only 11.9 % for raw EFB, due to the removal of volatile content during pyrolysis. XRD analysis revealed a transformation from crystalline cellulose in raw EFB, to amorphous carbon in biochar. SEM imaging demonstrated a porous morphology and a reduction in median particle size from 9.928 ± 4.571 µm in raw EFB to 8.000 ± 3.683 µm in biochar, suggesting an increased surface area and enhanced functional properties. These findings highlight the potential of solar pyrolysis for producing biochar with improved thermal, structural, and functional characteristics, suitable for applications such as soil amendment, adsorption, and energy storage. This research emphasizes the importance of material characterization in optimizing biochar properties and advancing renewable energy technologies for sustainable development.