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Enhancing CO 2 Sequestration Through Corn Stalk Biochar-Enhanced Mortar: A Synergistic Approach with Algal Growth for Carbon Capture Applications

Author

Listed:
  • Suthatip Sinyoung

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand)

  • Ananya Jeeraro

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand)

  • Patchimaporn Udomkun

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
    Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand)

  • Kittipong Kunchariyakun

    (School of Engineering and Technology, Walailak University, Nakhonsithammarat 80160, Thailand
    Center of Excellence in Sustainable Disaster Management, Walailak University, Nakhonsithammarat 80161, Thailand)

  • Margaret Graham

    (School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK)

  • Puangrat Kaewlom

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand)

Abstract

This study examines corn stalk biochar (CSB)-enhanced mortar as an innovative material for carbon capture and CO 2 sequestration. CSB, a renewable agricultural byproduct, was incorporated into cement mortar at varying concentrations (2.5% to 75%), and its effects on the mortar’s physicochemical properties, its ability to support algal growth, and the CO 2 absorption capacity of the algae were analyzed. Characterization of CSB showed a high carbon content (62.3%), significant porosity, and a large surface area (680.3 m 2 g −1 ), making it ideal for gas capture. At low concentrations (2.5%), CSB slightly improved the mortar’s compressive strength and density. However, higher CSB levels (5% to 75%) led to significant reductions ( p < 0.05) in strength and density, while water absorption increased. CO 2 sequestration monitored from algal growth studies revealed that both Chlorella sp. (TISTR 8262) and Scenedesmus sp. (TISTR 9384) thrived on CSB-enhanced mortars. At a 75% CSB concentration, Scenedesmus sp. achieved a 24.2-fold increase in biomass by day 12, outperforming Chlorella sp., which showed a 26.6-fold increase. CO 2 absorption also improved with biochar. Mortars with 75% CSB achieved an 86% CO 2 absorption ratio without algae, while adding algae boosted this to nearly 100%, highlighting the synergistic effect of biochar and algal photosynthesis. Higher CSB levels accelerated CO 2 absorption stabilization, reaching saturation by day 8 at 75% CSB. Scenedesmus sp. showed slightly higher CO 2 absorption efficiency than Chlorella sp., reaching peak absorption earlier and maintaining greater efficiency. Higher CSB concentrations accelerated CO 2 absorption, indicating that biochar–mortar mixtures, particularly when combined with algae, provide a promising solution for enhancing carbon capture and sequestration in green infrastructure.

Suggested Citation

  • Suthatip Sinyoung & Ananya Jeeraro & Patchimaporn Udomkun & Kittipong Kunchariyakun & Margaret Graham & Puangrat Kaewlom, 2025. "Enhancing CO 2 Sequestration Through Corn Stalk Biochar-Enhanced Mortar: A Synergistic Approach with Algal Growth for Carbon Capture Applications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-30, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:1:p:342-:d:1560495
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wei, Xuan & Yu, Guiyuan & Cao, Wen & Feng, Min & Xu, Yutong & Jin, Mingjie & Zhang, Yuxia & Li, Tengteng & Guo, Liejin, 2024. "Biomass producing and CO2 capturing simultaneously by Chlorella vulgaris: Effect of CO2 concentration and aeration rate," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(C).
    2. Patrick Nugent & Youssef Belmabkhout & Stephen D. Burd & Amy J. Cairns & Ryan Luebke & Katherine Forrest & Tony Pham & Shengqian Ma & Brian Space & Lukasz Wojtas & Mohamed Eddaoudi & Michael J. Zaworo, 2013. "Porous materials with optimal adsorption thermodynamics and kinetics for CO2 separation," Nature, Nature, vol. 495(7439), pages 80-84, March.
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