Potential of biochar use in building materials

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Engineering
• Sustainable Construction

Background:

• Biochar, derived from biomass waste, presents an opportunity for sustainable building material development.
• Incorporating biochar into construction materials addresses waste management and resource efficiency.
• The review focuses on the impact of biochar on the properties of various building composites.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review existing literature on biochar utilization in building materials.
• To assess the effects of biochar on the physical and mechanical properties of composites.
• To evaluate the potential of biochar-based materials for carbon footprint reduction and CO2 capture.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review was performed across five electronic databases.
• Thirteen relevant articles were selected for in-depth analysis.
• Biochar was incorporated into cementitious composites, wood polypropylene composites, and plasters at varying dosages (0.5%-40%).

Main Results:

• Biochar addition generally increased strength and reduced thermal conductivity and bulk density in cementitious composites.
• Water absorption and penetration varied with biochar dosage, decreasing at low percentages (0.5-2%) and increasing at higher percentages (10-40%).
• Biochar-containing materials demonstrated CO2 capture capabilities, with unsaturated biochar yielding superior mechanical and physical properties.

Conclusions:

• Biochar is a promising additive for enhancing building material properties and promoting biomass waste reuse.
• Biochar-based building materials offer potential for carbon footprint reduction and carbon sequestration.
• Further comprehensive research is required to fully understand and optimize biochar's role in climate change mitigation within the construction sector.