Customised fabrication of nitrogen-doped biochar for environmental and energy applications

Abstract

Global warming, environmental pollution, and energy shortage are causing severe environmental concerns for sustainable development. Conversion of various renewable biowastes into value-added carbon-based materials can be a promising option to alleviate these issues. The emergence of nitrogen (N)-doped biochar provides a versatile electroactive candidate suitable for environmental and energy applications. In this review, we scrutinise and highlight the customised production of N-doped biochars and their up-to-date applications in environmental remediation, energy storage, and biorefinery fields. With a comprehensive overview on the original precursor, the interspecies conversion, and the ultimate deactivation of various N-dopants in biochar-based carbocatalysis, their formation mechanisms, distinct electrochemical characteristics, fate in the environmental and energy applications, and electrochemical behaviour can be thoroughly analysed. Contemporary challenges that require to be addressed and perspectives on improving N-doping technique on biochar are articulated. Overall, this review helps to provide new insights into the customised production of N-doped biochar for its broader applications in sustainable carbocatalysis and green chemistry.