Biomass & BioenergyPub Date : 2026-08-01Epub Date: 2026-03-03DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109205
Nur Adreena Alia Azmady , Farhana Aziz , Juhana Jaafar , Wan Norharyati Wan Salleh , Mohd Akmali Mokhter
{"title":"Tailoring heteroatom-doped carbon fibers for microbial electrochemical systems: A review on co-doping electrochemical impact","authors":"Nur Adreena Alia Azmady , Farhana Aziz , Juhana Jaafar , Wan Norharyati Wan Salleh , Mohd Akmali Mokhter","doi":"10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109205","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109205","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The implementation of heteroatom-doping of carbon fibres (CF) has emerged as a promising modification alternative for electrochemical systems such as Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC). This is mainly due to their enhanced electronic conductivity, catalytic activity, and surface reactivity. The incorporation of heteroatoms into carbon matrices modifies the electronic structure that creates active sites which will significantly improve the charge transfer and electrocatalytic performance. Novel carbon materials often suffer from limited functionality, but co-doping such as nitrogen-sulfur (N-S) introduces synergistics effects that enhance both pseudocapacitance and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity. The fabrication of N-S co-doped carbon fibres typically involves precursor selection, such as polyacrylonitrile (PAN) or biomass, followed by thermal treatments like pyrolysis in the presence of N and S sources, such as thiourea or ammonium persulphate. Advanced techniques like electrospinning are also employed to create fibrous structures with high surface areas before doping. Studies have demonstrated that N-S co-doped carbon fibres exhibit superior electrochemical performance, with increased specific capacitance (up to 450 F/g) and improved ORR onset potentials due to the combined effects of pyrrolic-N, pyridinic-N, and thiophenic-S configurations of the N-S chemical structure. In addition to that, these materials show excellent stability in harsh electrochemical environments, such as when using wastewater in the system. Overall, the tunability of heteroatom doping ratios and the scalability of synthesis methods make these materials highly versatile for next-generation energy storage and conversion technologies, offering a sustainable alternative to precious metal-based catalysts which also combines the cost-effectiveness with high performance for diverse electrochemical applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":253,"journal":{"name":"Biomass & Bioenergy","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 109205"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147360841","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Sequential biohydrogen and biomethane production from sewage sludge, alkaline-pretreated bamboo leaves, and banana peel: Process performance and energy recovery","authors":"Ramadan Hassany , Ruizhe Zhang , Qian Ping , Yongmei Li","doi":"10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109211","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109211","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Two-stage fermentation process for sequential biohydrogen (bio-H<sub>2</sub>) and biomethane (bio-CH<sub>4</sub>) production offers a promising route to valorize the increasing volumes of sewage sludge (SS), lignocellulosic bamboo leaves (BL), and banana peel (BP). This study investigates the co-fermentation of SS with alkaline-pretreated BL and BP, a substrate combination not previously systematically evaluated, and their influence on microbial community composition to enhance bio-H<sub>2</sub> and bio-CH<sub>4</sub> yields. First, the hydrogen-producing inoculum was thermally pretreated across five temperatures (60−100 °C) for two durations (30 and 60 min) to identify the best-performing condition for enriching hydrogen-producing bacteria, with 80 °C for 60 min yielding the maximum H<sub>2</sub> yield (98.79 <span><math><mrow><mo>±</mo></mrow></math></span> 14.14 mLH<sub>2</sub>/g glucose). Subsequently, the effect of substrate mixing ratios was investigated by evaluating three co-fermentation SS:BL:BP ratios based on volatile solids (VS) of 50:25:25, 25:50:25, and 25:25:50, alongside mono-fermentation controls for each individual substrate. Co-fermentation at a 25:50:25 ratio fostered a highly efficient bacterial community that enhanced hydrolysis and acidogenesis, resulting in the highest specific bio-H<sub>2</sub> and bio-CH<sub>4</sub> production (22.91 <span><math><mrow><mo>±</mo></mrow></math></span> 0.68 mLH<sub>2</sub>/gVS<sub>added</sub> and 390.80 <span><math><mrow><mo>±</mo></mrow></math></span> 9.88 mLCH<sub>4</sub>/gVS<sub>added</sub>, respectively). Kinetic analysis of both stages confirmed the efficacy of this ratio, demonstrating enhanced production kinetics and ensuring rapid microbial acclimatization. Comparative gross energy recovery assessment demonstrated that the two-stage system significantly outperformed a single-stage anaerobic system, with the 25:50:25 ratio achieving a 20.25% increase in total energy recovery. These results establish the synergistic potential of co-fermenting SS, alkaline-pretreated BL, and BP for simultaneous waste valorization and enhanced renewable energy production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":253,"journal":{"name":"Biomass & Bioenergy","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 109211"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147387623","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Biomass & BioenergyPub Date : 2026-08-01Epub Date: 2026-02-23DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109133
Zhili Li , Yuwei Liu , Chaoqin Zhang , Junjie Hao , Xuefang Chen , Haijun Guo , Hairong Zhang , Lian Xiong , Hailong Li , Xinde Chen
{"title":"Production of high-purity xylo-oligosaccharides from sugarcane bagasse by two-step hydrolysis using low-concentration p-toluenesulfonic acid and xylanase","authors":"Zhili Li , Yuwei Liu , Chaoqin Zhang , Junjie Hao , Xuefang Chen , Haijun Guo , Hairong Zhang , Lian Xiong , Hailong Li , Xinde Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109133","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109133","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) have attracted considerable interest due to their functional prebiotic activity and broad application potential. Conventional dilute acid pretreatment typically employs a one-step hydrolysis method for XOS production, which often requires high reaction temperatures and extended durations, and tends to yield products with a high degree of polymerization (DP). The use of <em>p</em>-toluenesulfonic acid (<em>p</em>-TsOH) as a strong organic acid offers an effective pretreatment approach that reduces reaction severity, better preserves cellulose integrity, and facilitates acid recovery. In this study, a two-step hydrolysis process was developed using sugarcane bagasse (SCB) as the raw material, combining low-concentration <em>p</em>-TsOH pretreatment with enzymatic hydrolysis by xylanase to produce high-purity XOS. Optimal conditions for <em>p</em>-TsOH pretreatment were first determined through single-factor experiments: 0.3% acid concentration, 150 °C, and 45 min, resulting in a XOS yield of 47.7% without formation of inhibitors. Subsequent hydrolysis with xylanase (40 IU/mL) increased the proportion of xylobiose (X<sub>2</sub>) and xylotriose (X<sub>3</sub>) in the XOS products from 24.1% to 67.4%. Further purification by 16% activated carbon adsorption, water washing for impurity removal, and ethanol elution achieved a XOS recovery rate of 80.9% and purity of 91.01%, with X<sub>2</sub> and X<sub>3</sub> reaching 76.4%. The structural identity of the products was confirmed by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This process provides a novel strategy for valorizing SCB and producing high-purity XOS.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":253,"journal":{"name":"Biomass & Bioenergy","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 109133"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146778128","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Biomass & BioenergyPub Date : 2026-08-01Epub Date: 2026-02-22DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109118
Alaa A. Alnahari , Fatimah M. Alshehrei
{"title":"Rhizospheric microbiomes as reservoirs for multifaceted agricultural, environmental, and industrial applications","authors":"Alaa A. Alnahari , Fatimah M. Alshehrei","doi":"10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109118","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109118","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rhizospheric microbiomes associated with wild plant species represent an untapped reservoir of biodiversity with significant potential to transform industrial applications. This review collates recent research efforts aimed at harnessing the diverse functional roles of these microbial communities, with particular attention to the exemplary wild plants <em>Moringa oleifera</em>, <em>Abutilon fruticosum</em>, and <em>Dipterygium glaucum</em>. Our synthesis is anchored in datasets and case studies from the arid northwestern region of Saudi Arabia, particularly the Mecca area, where these wild plants and their highly adapted rhizospheric microbiomes provide model systems for broader arid and marginal agroecosystems. The central aim is to elucidate the impact of these soil microbiomes on sustainable agricultural practices, environmental remediation strategies, and biotechnological innovations. In particular, we synthesize current evidence on rhizospheric microbiomes of the wild plant species <em>Moringa oleifera</em>, <em>Abutilon fruticosum</em>, and <em>Dipterygium glaucum</em>, emphasizing their roles in sustainable agriculture, environmental remediation, and industrial biotechnology and how these systems can be harnessed as sources of eco-friendly bioinoculants, antibiotic resistance mitigation strategies, and novel enzymes and metabolites. We delve into strategies for the rational development of high-value biomolecules, exemplified by biofertilizers, biopesticides, and biocontrol agents derived from plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), underscoring their inherent capacity to enhance nutrient cycling, bolster plant health, and facilitate the design of efficacious bioinoculants. These bioinoculants are strategically positioned to modulate biotic and abiotic stress responses, concomitantly diminishing the dependence on environmentally deleterious chemical inputs. Furthermore, the attenuation of antibiotic resistance mediated by rhizospheric microbiomes is critically examined, alongside the potential for developing advanced diagnostic platforms for the rapid detection of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) within complex agricultural systems. In addition, we explore the capacity of the wild plant soil rhizosphere to serve as a repository of novel enzymes and metabolites, with implications for diverse industrial sectors encompassing biofuel production, paper manufacturing, bioenergy production, and the development of cosmeceutical products. The functional characterization of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and other key enzymes within defined Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolic pathways, coupled with a discussion of the speculative metabolic engineering potential of plants to potentiate beneficial plant-microbe interactions, are presented as pivotal strategies for unlocking the latent industrial potential of these complex rhizospheric microbiomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":253,"journal":{"name":"Biomass & Bioenergy","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 109118"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146778155","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Biomass & BioenergyPub Date : 2026-08-01Epub Date: 2026-02-24DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109176
Jiayu Xu , Bin Hao , Jinge Hu , Ying Gao , Tongxin Sun , Taotao Wu , Hui Xu , Haiping Yang
{"title":"Upgrading of food waste by hydrothermal carbonization: production, characterization, and application for hydrothermal products","authors":"Jiayu Xu , Bin Hao , Jinge Hu , Ying Gao , Tongxin Sun , Taotao Wu , Hui Xu , Haiping Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109176","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109176","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) demonstrates significant advantages in the resource recovery of food waste. In this study, a strategy for enhancing the utilization value of the aqueous phase was evaluated. This involves the co-optimization of dual products (aqueous phase and hydrochar) in the enzymatic-hydrothermal carbonization approach (EHTC), along with the application of residual hydrochar in catalytic hydrolysis. The results showed that the content of 5-HMF reached its maximum of 78.76% at 200 °C for 25 min. Nitrogen migration analysis revealed that the forms of nitrogen species in the aqueous phase were significantly influenced by the reaction conditions. Optical analysis identified a high concentration of substances with conjugated structures in the aqueous phase, and their content increased with rising reaction temperatures. The hydrochar obtained at 240 °C for 25 min exhibited superior characteristics and was successfully prepared into sulfonated hydrochar through sulfonation treatment. The results demonstrated that sulfonated hydrochar significantly increased the content of 5-HMF in the aqueous phase, while the catalytic performance showed limited sensitivity to sulfonation parameters, except for prolonged sulfonation times. Further comparative analysis indicated a competitive relationship between the formation of small-molecule compounds and complex conjugated species in the aqueous phase, with sulfonated hydrochar tending to inhibit the latter to enhance the content of small-molecule compounds. This study aims to provide new insights into maximizing the value of whole products from hydrothermal carbonization of food waste.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":253,"journal":{"name":"Biomass & Bioenergy","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 109176"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147279186","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Biomass & BioenergyPub Date : 2026-08-01Epub Date: 2026-02-24DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109166
Mahmoud A. El-Emam , Ling Zhou , Weidong Shi , Linwei Tan
{"title":"Particle separation of biomass-derived granular flows in bioenergy systems using high-load cyclone separators: effects of vortex finder geometry","authors":"Mahmoud A. El-Emam , Ling Zhou , Weidong Shi , Linwei Tan","doi":"10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109166","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109166","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Efficient handling and separation of biomass-derived particulate streams are critical to the performance and sustainability of bioenergy conversion systems, particularly in thermochemical processes such as biomass combustion and gasification. Cyclone separators are widely employed for removing entrained biomass residues and inorganic particles from process gas streams; however, their performance under high solids loading and heterogeneous biomass conditions remains inadequately understood. In this study, the influence of vortex finder geometry on gas–solid separation performance is investigated for cyclone systems operating with biomass-derived particulate mixtures. Five vortex finder configurations—flat, wedged, curved, tapered in–out, and hyperboloid—are systematically evaluated and benchmarked against an experimentally validated reference design. A two-way coupled CFD–DEM approach is used to resolve gas–solid interactions, inter-particle collisions, and wall contacts for heterogeneous biogenic–mineral mixtures representative of biomass residues, including plant-based particles and sand. Simulations conducted at an inlet gas velocity of 30 m/s and a solids feed rate of 2.53 kg/s demonstrate that vortex finder geometry strongly influences flow stability, particle residence time, re-entrainment, and pressure drop. The flat vortex finder yields the most stable vortex structure and the highest separation efficiency, thereby improving gas cleanliness and reducing solids carryover. These findings provide mechanistic insight into cyclone operation under biomass-relevant conditions and offer practical guidance for the design of gas-cleaning units to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of bioenergy systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":253,"journal":{"name":"Biomass & Bioenergy","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 109166"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147279193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Empty fruit bunch conversion into renewable solid fuel through hydrothermal carbonization","authors":"Yusuf Ahda , Wiwie Chaeruni , Ilham Arnif , Desy Kurniawati , Indah Sakina Pansawati , Topan Frans Saputra , Yustika Agustin , Rendi Januardi , Zulramadhanie , Tata Sutardi , Taopik Hidayat , Moch Zulfikar Eka Prayoga , Cahyadi","doi":"10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109184","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109184","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Palm oil mills generate substantial quantities of lignocellulosic material, including empty fruit bunch (EFB). EFB is further utilized after conversion to hydrochar through hydrothermal carbonization (HTC). The process was examined at four distinct temperatures: 150, 180, 210, and 230 °C, under liquid-to-solid ratios of 5:1 (R5) and 10:1 (R10). The laboratory analyses demonstrated that HTC substantially enhanced the fuel properties of EFB by increasing carbon content, heating value, and fixed carbon, while decreasing volatile matter and oxygen content. The novelty of this work lies in the systematic assessment of potassium reduction and its implications for ash deposition behaviour under varying HTC conditions. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis indicated a marked reduction in alkali oxides. Complementary scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS) revealed morphological transitions from irregular and porous particles to denser, partially sintered structures with increasing HTC temperature. Among all samples, HTC230R10 exhibited the most favourable ash characteristic, indicating reduced alkali content and minimal agglomeration tendency. The present study demonstrated the efficacy of HTC as a promising thermochemical pathway to mitigate ash-related deposition issues and enhance the combustion stability of EFB. Moreover, these findings are posited to contribute to the reliability and sustainability of biomass as a fuel.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":253,"journal":{"name":"Biomass & Bioenergy","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 109184"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147329983","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Biomass & BioenergyPub Date : 2026-08-01Epub Date: 2026-03-02DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109185
Zi-Tong Zhao , Jie Ding , Geng Luo , Xian Zhao , Han-Jun Sun , Bing-Feng Liu , Ji-Wei Pang , Nan-Qi Ren , Shan-Shan Yang
{"title":"Lactic acid bacteria in dark fermentation: From competitor to syntrophic partner for biohydrogen production from complex sugars","authors":"Zi-Tong Zhao , Jie Ding , Geng Luo , Xian Zhao , Han-Jun Sun , Bing-Feng Liu , Ji-Wei Pang , Nan-Qi Ren , Shan-Shan Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109185","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109185","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dark fermentation of pretreated lignocellulosic hydrolysates represents a promising pathway for renewable biohydrogen production. However, the complex reducing sugar (RS) compositions and metabolic interactions between microbiota remain unresolved. This study systematically evaluated the biohydrogen production performance from mesophilic dark fermentation and microbial network dynamics of different RS systems at relevant concentrations, aiming to reveal the underlying microbial drivers behind variations in hydrogen production efficiency. Batch fermentation experiments showed that hexoses-based substrates outperformed pentose-based substrates in hydrogen production, yielding 102.09% and 60.25% more hydrogen at concentrations of 3.5 g/L and 20 g/L, respectively. Under low-concentration conditions (3.5 g/L), the galactose-fed group exhibited greater hydrogen production potential than the glucose-fed group, with a 12.76% increase in hydrogen yield. Additionally, the mixed sugar systems effectively enhanced pentose utilization potential, achieving hydrogen yields only 6.46%-13.89% lower than pure hexose-based systems. Notably, despite lactate accumulation reaching 972.47 mg/L under high RS concentration (20 g/L), hydrogen production increased substantially from 702.68 mL H<sub>2</sub>/L fermentation broth to 2287.79 mL H<sub>2</sub>/L fermentation broth. Three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix (3D-EEM) analysis further indicated a 41.98% enhancement in humic-like substance-associated fluorescence intensity under the 20 g/L condition. Furthermore, microbial network analysis revealed that <em>Lactobacillus</em> could contribute positively to hydrogen production efficiency through synergistic interactions with certain hydrogen-producing bacteria. These findings reframe <em>Lactobacillus</em> sp. from a conventional carbon competitor to a collaborative participant within hydrogen-producing consortia, highlighting the potential of strategies based on substrate composition and microbial network regulation for biohydrogen production from lignocellulosic waste.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":253,"journal":{"name":"Biomass & Bioenergy","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 109185"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147330209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Biomass & BioenergyPub Date : 2026-08-01Epub Date: 2026-02-28DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109160
Zitong Zhuang, Zhiqiang Wang, Yangbo Xue, Jinzhan Su, Jinwen Shi, Hui Jin
{"title":"Biomass nanoarchitectonics of hierarchical porous carbon with ultrahigh surface area for direct air carbon capture and supercapacitor","authors":"Zitong Zhuang, Zhiqiang Wang, Yangbo Xue, Jinzhan Su, Jinwen Shi, Hui Jin","doi":"10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109160","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109160","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>High specific surface area carbon materials have attracted significant attention due to their important roles in energy and environmental applications. However, it remains a major challenge to enhance their performance by incorporating effective hierarchical pore structures while maintaining the ultrahigh specific surface area. A low-cost and versatile N-doped carbon material with hierarchical nanopores and ultrahigh specific surface area was prepared via supercritical CO<sub>2</sub>-assisted urea pretreatment followed by simple activation. The prepared carbon materials were fabricated into supercapacitor electrodes and amine-loaded solid adsorbents to evaluate its electrochemical performance and carbon dioxide adsorption capacity. The results showed that, due to its remarkable specific surface (3784.23 m<sup>2</sup>/g), excellent pore volume (2.21 cm<sup>3</sup>/g), hierarchical pore structure, and considerable N-loading rate (5.69 wt%), the carbon material achieved a specific capacitance of up to 321.48 F/g at a current density of 0.5 A/g in a 1 mol/L electrolyte, with a capacitance retention rate of 91.08% after 1000 cycles at 5 A/g. Additionally, the corresponding amine-loaded solid adsorbent achieved a maximum CO<sub>2</sub> adsorption capacity of 109.58 mg/g in simulated air containing 400 ppm CO<sub>2</sub> under ambient conditions. These results demonstrate that the synergistic combination of ultrahigh surface area, hierarchical porosity, and nitrogen doping endows the biomass-derived carbon material with strong potential for integrated energy storage and carbon capture applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":253,"journal":{"name":"Biomass & Bioenergy","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 109160"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147330210","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"pH as a key driver of green chemicals production in agroindustrial waste fermentation","authors":"Alejandra Martorell-Múgica , Cristina González-Fernández , Silvia Greses","doi":"10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109181","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109181","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Anaerobic fermentation (AF) has been demonstrated as a promising approach for the valorization of agroindustrial waste into value-added metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). However, the achieved yields and product spectrum are greatly influenced by operating parameters, out of which pH plays a crucial role in microbial activity. In this investigation, process pH was studied as a driving force to manipulate metabolite profile and yields by shaping the microbiome. Firstly, AF was conducted at pH 6.2 resulting in a metabolite production of 27.9 g L<sup>−1</sup> fully composed of SCFAs with high bioconversion efficiency (61.3 %) since a key synergy between Firmicutes and Actinobacteria was enabled. Thereafter, the pH decrease to 5.5 boosted a lactic acid bacteria growth and throve the metabolisms towards carbohydrate consumption, resulting in the production of SCFAs (22.1 g L<sup>−1</sup>), but also ethanol (10.7 %) and hydrogen (136.2 mL·gCOD<sub>in</sub><sup>−1</sup>). These findings underscore the potential of using pH as a strategy to tailor metabolite production. Moreover, the results revealed the presence of ethanologenic microorganisms in open mixed-culture, highlighting AF as promising technology to be explored with the aim of producing green chemicals (ethanol) beyond SCFAs, thereby opening a new research niche.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":253,"journal":{"name":"Biomass & Bioenergy","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 109181"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147330214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}