Olive stone-derived biochar as a sustainable catalyst support for CO2 methanation
The hydrogenation of carbon dioxide (CO2) into methane presents a promising strategy for CO2 utilization. However, the large-scale implementation of this process remains limited by the lack of cost-effective and sustainable catalytic materials. This study explores the potential of biochar derived fr...
| Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | article |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Country: | España |
| Institution: | Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha |
| Repository: | RUIdeRA. Repositorio Institucional de la UCLM |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:ruidera.uclm.es:10578/43124 |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcou.2025.103102 https://hdl.handle.net/10578/43124 |
| Access Level: | Open access |
| Keyword: | Chemical activation CO2 methanation Ni-based catalysts Olive stone biochar P2M Sabatier reaction |
| Summary: | The hydrogenation of carbon dioxide (CO2) into methane presents a promising strategy for CO2 utilization. However, the large-scale implementation of this process remains limited by the lack of cost-effective and sustainable catalytic materials. This study explores the potential of biochar derived from agro-industrial waste, specifically olive stones, as an innovative and eco-friendly support for Ni-based catalysts in CO2 methanation. Three different chemical activation methods (KOH, ZnCl2, and H3PO4) were applied to enhance the textural and structural properties of the biochar, significantly influencing its catalytic performance. Among the tested materials, KOH-activated biochar (10Ni-KOH) exhibited superior Ni dispersion, enhanced surface area, and an increased number of moderately strong basic sites, which are crucial for CO2 activation. This catalyst achieved a CO2 conversion of 72 % and a CH4 selectivity of 95.5 %, outperforming the other formulations. In contrast, biochar activated with H3PO4 led to the encapsulation of Ni particles within a phosphorus matrix (as demonstrated by TEM images), while ZnCl2 activation promoted the formation of Ni-Zn alloys (as indicated by XPS and XRD analysis), both of which hindered methanation efficiency. These findings highlight the transformative potential of biochar as a low-cost and sustainable catalyst support, offering a viable alternative to conventional materials for CO2 methanation. By leveraging agricultural residues, this approach not only contributes to circular economy principles but also enhances the economic and environmental feasibility of Power-to-Methane (P2M) technologies. |
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