High‐throughput carbon dioxide sequestration into sustainable solid products by miscanthus cultivation: A review

This review evaluates miscanthus, a high‐yielding perennial grass with substantial carbon sequestration potential, as a feedstock for producing solid carbonaceous products. Miscanthus was found to be a suitable feedstock, comparable to woody and grassy phytomass. The most sustainable products, in both economic and technological terms, were torrefied miscanthus (solid fuel), slow‐pyrolysis biochar (solid fuel and soil amendment), and activated carbon (AC) produced by H 3 PO 4 activation (functionalized adsorbents for organic and inorganic pollutant removal). Industrial‐scale cost estimates indicate production costs of ~50–70 € t −1 for torrefied miscanthus, ~130–150 € t −1 for biochar, and ~2000 € t −1 for AC, which is competitive with conventional phytomass‐derived equivalents. Future research should focus on optimizing miscanthus cultivation to enhance product yield and quality, on developing valorization pathways for higher value products (such as functionalized biochar and humic acids), and on improving activation techniques. For chemical activation, increasing phosphoric acid efficiency and exploring alternative agents is crucial, and physical activation should aim to produce AC with porosity comparable to traditional feedstocks. These advancements are essential for improving the economic viability and environmental sustainability of miscanthus‐based biorefineries.