Sugarcane bagasse-derived biochars, produced at 350 °C (B350) and 600 °C (B600), were evaluated for their capacity to modify the sorption behavior of the herbicide sulfentrazone (SFZ) in Red–Yellow Latosol (RYL) and to serve as carriers for its controlled release. Batch sorption experiments indicated that SFZ exhibits low affinity for soil and undergoes sorption–desorption hysteresis. Adding B350 biochar (up to 0.30%) did not significantly affect the herbicide sorption, whereas B600 enhanced its retention. Sequential desorption assays were conducted by incorporating SFZ either directly into the soil or into the biochars, which were subsequently blended into the soil (at 0.15% w/w). The SFZ desorbed more rapidly from the soil than from the biochars, suggesting that the pyrogenic material has potential for modulating herbicide release. Phytotoxicity assessments using Sorghum bicolor confirmed that only SFZ incorporated into B350 (at 0.15% w/w) retained herbicidal efficacy comparable to its direct application in soil. These findings underscore the potential of B350 biochar as a controlled-release carrier for SFZ without compromising its weed control effectiveness.

Biochar has received increasing attention due to its potential to improve soil quality, mitigate environmental contamination, and promote carbon sequestration. However, its properties are strongly influenced by production conditions. In this study, a central composite design (CCD) combined with response surface methodology (RSM) was used to evaluate the effects of pyrolysis temperature (T; 349–601 °C), residence time (RT; 0.8–4.2 h), and biomass particle size (PS; 0.34–3.68 mm) on the properties of biochar produced from sugarcane bagasse. The following biochar properties were considered response variables in the CCD: gravimetric yield; fixed carbon, volatile matter and ash contents; polarity (O/C ratio) and aromaticity (H/C ratio) indices; surface area; pH; and methylene blue (MB) removal efficiency. The results showed that pyrolysis temperature was the most influential variable, leading to reductions in yield, volatile matter content, and polarity, while increasing fixed carbon content, aromaticity, pH, surface area, and MB removal efficiency. Particle size influenced biochar friability and its MB removal capacity. Additionally, the combined use of principal component analysis (PCA) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy enabled the effective discrimination of materials produced under different pyrolysis conditions.

The coordination chemistry of benzimidazole ligands combines σ donation and π backbonding. Owing to this electronic flexibility, benzimidazole ligands stabilize both electron deficient and electron-rich transition states in the catalytic cycle of Ziegler-Natta polymerizations. In this study, Fe(III) and Ni(II) complexes of 2-substituted-benzimidazoles were tested as catalysts for ethylene and 1-butene oligomerization. The tests realized in toluene yielded mainly butenes and minor amounts of hexenes. When dichloromethane was used as solvent, a tandem reaction took place and 1-butene produced by ethylene dimerization was further oligomerized, yielding octenes and dodecenes as main products. All tested catalysts exhibited moderate selectivity for 1-octene, indicating 1-ω enchainment in 1-butene dimerization. Beyond catalytic tests, a theoretical study of the ligand 2,2′-(furan-2,5-diyl)bis(1H-benzimidazole) confirmed the planar structure of this compound as evidenced by NMR spectroscopy.