Comparative study between physicochemical characterization of biochar and metal organic frameworks (MOFs) as gas adsorbents

In this study, biochar produced from three different woody biomasses, softwood (shaving, bark (Balsam fir)), and hardwood (Ash wood), are compared in terms of chemical and physical properties. The biochar was produced via fast pyrolysis at 450 °C in a 4 kg/h capacity auger reactor. The produced biochars were characterized for elemental composition, surface area, morphology, proximate analysis, and thermal properties. The biochars were compared with a Metal Organic Framework (MOF) with respect to properties key to adsorbent applications. All biochars were basic (pH 8.9–10.7), while MOFs were acidic. The morphologies of biochar and MOF‐5 differ in pore size, chemistry, and structure. Biochar has higher carbon content and more aromatic functional groups than MOFs, which could play an important role for adsorption of acidic gases from natural/produced gas.