Characterization of Brazilian biochar from rice husk for application in cementitious pastes

Abstract

Biochar is a product derived from biomass pyrolysis and used as a soil conditioner. Researches have evaluated its applicability in civil construction as supplementary cementitious materials. However, the properties of biochar are linked to the properties of its raw material and the processing method, highlighting the necessity of other characterization studies of this material before its application. This study aims to carry out a characterization of the Brazilian biochar, with a view to its application on cementitious pastes. The characterization techniques applied were: granulometric determination by laser diffraction, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and Chapelle method. The morphological structure of the material was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the use of biochar as a pozzolanic material, i.e, mineral addition is dependent on the physical-chemical properties obtained by the pyrolysis conditions applied, even when amorphous silica is presented.