Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a novel thermochemical process that turns biomass into hydrochar, a substance rich in carbon that has potential uses in advanced material synthesis, energy production, and environmental remediation. With an emphasis on important chemical pathways, such as dehydration, decarboxylation, and polymerization, that control the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into useful hydrochar, this review critically investigates the fundamental chemistry of HTC. A detailed analysis is conducted on the effects of process variables on the physicochemical characteristics of hydrochar, including temperature, pressure, biomass composition, water ratio, and residence time. Particular focus is placed on new developments in HTC technology that improve sustainability and efficiency, like recirculating process water and microwave-assisted co-hydrothermal carbonization. Furthermore, the improvement of adsorption capacity for organic contaminants and heavy metals is explored in relation to the functionalization and chemical activation of hydrochar, namely through surface modification and KOH treatment. The performance of hydrochar and biochar in adsorption, catalysis, and energy storage is compared, emphasizing the unique benefits and difficulties of each substance. Although hydrochar has a comparatively high higher heating value (HHV) and can be a good substitute for coal, issues with reactor design, process scalability, and secondary waste management continue to limit its widespread use. In order to maximize HTC as a sustainable and profitable avenue for biomass valorization, this study addresses critical research gaps and future initiatives.

The demand for drinking water is a reality that plagues modern society and will worsen in the coming decades. Factors such as climate change, population growth, and intense, often disorderly urbanization are expected to limit the availability of this essential resource for life. With this justification, several technologies involving water remediation/purification have been improved to increase energy efficiency. One key approach involves the use of residual biomass derived from biological sources as adsorbents with valuable properties. This line of research supports waste management, and the materials are easily obtainable, especially on a large scale, with low costs and negligible secondary environmental impacts. In the early 2000s, it was demonstrated that these materials possess functional groups (amino, hydroxyl, and carboxyl) that are favorable for attracting certain pollutants that are present in wastewater. Generally, the unmodified precursor material has properties that are not favorable for adsorption, such as limited adsorption capacity, low mechanical resistance, and unstable surface chemistry. Therefore, there has been a strong investment in studies aimed at developing methodologies to produce bio-based materials with high properties supported by mathematical models aimed at water purification. This critical review describes the modifications, functionalization, and production of bio-based materials aimed at remediating wastewater via the adsorption process. Their use involves the elimination of organic pollutants, water/oil separation, the removal of micropollutants, and membrane filtration. The properties of bio-based materials from biopolymers and their synthesis methodologies are analyzed, with a focus on water remediation. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives are highlighted, highlighting the relevance of this group of adsorbents in minimizing the challenges and limitations present in the field of water purification and providing new, innovative solutions.

Neste trabalho, ferrita de cobalto (CoFe₂O₄) foi sintetizada sobre aluminato de magnésio (MgAl₂O₄) e zeólita ZSM-5 e a atividade catalítica desses materiais na reação foto-Fenton visando a decomposição de um poluente orgânico em solução aquosa foi avaliada. Ferrita de cobalto foi sintetizada sobre os suportes pela rota solvotérmica. Os materiais magnéticos foram caracterizados por difração de raios-X, isotermas de adsorção/dessorção de nitrogênio, microscopia eletrônica de varredura e espectroscopia de energia dispersiva de raios-X. Os catalisadores foram avaliados na degradação de corante amaranto sob irradiações visível artificial e solar. Os sistemas produzidos CoFe₂O₄/MgAl₂O₄ e CoFe₂O₄/ZSM-5 apresentaram satisfatórias atividades catalíticas, sendo superior comparado a ferrita de cobalto pura. As atividades catalíticas para ambos os sistemas foram superiores quando do uso de irradiação solar, atingindo 95 % de descoloração e 80 % de mineralização em 30 e 240 min de reação, respectivamente. Portanto, MgAl₂O₄ e ZSM-5 como suportes para a ferrita de cobalto apresentam-se como materiais promissores para a degradação de poluentes orgânicos em soluções aquosas através da reação foto-Fenton heterogênea.