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Dr. Flavia Lega Braghiroli
Centre Technologique des Résidus Industriels (CTRI), Rouyn-Noranda J9X 0E1, Québec, Canada

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0 Biofuels
0 Biofuel
0 Porous carbon materials
0 Bioresourced materials
0 Wood valorization

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Journal article
Published: 20 April 2020 in Current Forestry Reports
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For the past few decades, consumers have increasingly demanded biodegradable, petroleum-free, and safe products for the environment, humans, and animals, with improved performance. In terms of energy consumption, modern society has progressively sought to reduce fossil fuel utilization and greenhouse gas emissions. This review presents and discusses the possibilities of using biomass residues that are derived from forest operations and wood manufacturing to produce biofuels and biomaterials as sustainable alternatives that could boost the development of renewable technologies and bio-economy. Forest biomass residues are composed primarily of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in varying proportions depending upon the species. Residues from forest operations have heterogeneous compositions due to the presence of branches, foliage, tree tops, and bark, compared with those derived from wood manufacturing industries. Several technological approaches have been developed to add value to forest biomass residues through their conversion to biomaterials such as wood-based composite panels, wood-plastic composites, wood pellets, and biofuels, such as biochar, bio-oil, syngas (thermochemical approach), and biogas (biochemical approach). Forest biomass residues are valuable lignocellulosic materials, but research is still required regarding their conversion into value-added products given their heterogeneous compositions and varied physicochemical properties. Obstacles such as transportation costs and their complex structural and chemical mechanisms that resist decomposition need to be better overcome in developing high-quality and economically viable biofuels and biomaterials. In contrast, wood-based panels, composites, pellets, and biofuels produced by the wood manufacturing industries exhibit superior properties and characteristics for commercialization. Recent studies regarding valorization of forest biomass residues are a welcome recognition of the need to transition to a sustainable economy, and a definitive strategy for achieving objectives that have been set for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

ACS Style

Flavia Lega Braghiroli; Leandro Passarini. Valorization of Biomass Residues from Forest Operations and Wood Manufacturing Presents a Wide Range of Sustainable and Innovative Possibilities. Current Forestry Reports 2020, 6, 172 -183.

AMA Style

Flavia Lega Braghiroli, Leandro Passarini. Valorization of Biomass Residues from Forest Operations and Wood Manufacturing Presents a Wide Range of Sustainable and Innovative Possibilities. Current Forestry Reports. 2020; 6 (2):172-183.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Flavia Lega Braghiroli; Leandro Passarini. 2020. "Valorization of Biomass Residues from Forest Operations and Wood Manufacturing Presents a Wide Range of Sustainable and Innovative Possibilities." Current Forestry Reports 6, no. 2: 172-183.

Journal article
Published: 14 March 2020 in Materials
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The physical and mechanical properties of wood (WPC) and biochar polymer composites (BPC) obtained at different pyro-gasification temperatures and different fiber proportions were investigated. Composite pellets made from wood chips or biochar and thermoplastic polymers (polypropylene or high-density polyethylene) were obtained by twin-screw extrusion, and test specimens were prepared by injection molding. Results showed that BPCs were more dimensionally stable compared to WPCs, but their mechanical properties decreased with increasing pyro-gasification temperatures due to the poor adhesion between the polymer and biochar. Indeed, FTIR investigations revealed the decrease or absence of hydroxyl groups on biochar, which prevents the coupling agent from reacting with the biochar surface. The change in the biochar chemical structure led to an improvement in the dimensional stability and hydrophobicity of the biocomposites. Despite the increased dimensional stability of BPCs compared to WPCs, BPCs still adsorb water. This was explained by the surface roughness and by the biochar agglomerations present in the composite. In conclusion, the thermochemical conversion of black spruce wood chips into biochar makes it brittle but more hydrophobic, thereby reducing the wettability of the BPCs.

ACS Style

Ramzi Ayadi; Ahmed Koubaa; Flavia Braghiroli; Sébastien Migneault; He Wang; Chedly Bradai. Effect of the Pyro-Gasification Temperature of Wood on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Biochar-Polymer Biocomposites. Materials 2020, 13, 1327 .

AMA Style

Ramzi Ayadi, Ahmed Koubaa, Flavia Braghiroli, Sébastien Migneault, He Wang, Chedly Bradai. Effect of the Pyro-Gasification Temperature of Wood on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Biochar-Polymer Biocomposites. Materials. 2020; 13 (6):1327.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ramzi Ayadi; Ahmed Koubaa; Flavia Braghiroli; Sébastien Migneault; He Wang; Chedly Bradai. 2020. "Effect of the Pyro-Gasification Temperature of Wood on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Biochar-Polymer Biocomposites." Materials 13, no. 6: 1327.

Journal article
Published: 09 March 2020 in Minerals Engineering
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Arsenic (As) contamination is a major problem especially for active gold mine operations. In the present study, eight low-cost materials including biochar (B), Fe-loaded biochar (BF), activated biochar (BC), Fe-loaded activated biochar (BCF and BFC), thermally modified dolomite (MD), wood ash (WA), and modified wood ash (MWA) were comparatively used for the efficiency in As(V) removal from synthetic and real mine effluents, through batch and column testing. Batch adsorption tests were conducted in beakers with a ratio adsorbent material and As(V) synthetic and real solutions of 0.1 g: 10 mL at concentrations of 850 and 300 µg/L As, respectively. Column adsorption tests were performed in 3 reactors with As(V) concentration of up to 900 µg/L in contaminated neutral drainage (CND) collected from a local gold mine. Results from batch testing with synthetic effluents showed the best performance for As(V) removal in the following order: MD > WA > BCF > BF > BFC > MWA > BC > B. Consistent findings were obtained in batch and column testing with the real mine effluent. Although iron grafted biochars are good adsorbents, their performance for As(V) removal was limited probably because of the very low As concentration in this study. In the same time, MD was found to be the most efficient material for As(V) removal but the final pH must be monitored and eventually adjusted. As(V) was completely removed by MD in batch testing (99.9%) and column testing (99.6%) after>112 days to bellow the authorized monthly mean allowed by Canadian discharge criteria. Thus, MD seems to be the most efficient material among the tested ones for the removal of As(V) in batch and column testing from synthetic and mine effluents.

ACS Style

Flavia Lega Braghiroli; Iuliana Laura Calugaru; Carolina Gonzalez-Merchan; Carmen Mihaela Neculita; Hassine Bouafif; Ahmed Koubaa. Efficiency of eight modified materials for As(V) removal from synthetic and real mine effluents. Minerals Engineering 2020, 151, 106310 .

AMA Style

Flavia Lega Braghiroli, Iuliana Laura Calugaru, Carolina Gonzalez-Merchan, Carmen Mihaela Neculita, Hassine Bouafif, Ahmed Koubaa. Efficiency of eight modified materials for As(V) removal from synthetic and real mine effluents. Minerals Engineering. 2020; 151 ():106310.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Flavia Lega Braghiroli; Iuliana Laura Calugaru; Carolina Gonzalez-Merchan; Carmen Mihaela Neculita; Hassine Bouafif; Ahmed Koubaa. 2020. "Efficiency of eight modified materials for As(V) removal from synthetic and real mine effluents." Minerals Engineering 151, no. : 106310.

Article
Published: 10 December 2019 in Journal of Porous Materials
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In this study, activated biochar was produced using pilot-scale technologies of fast pyrolysis and activation to create desirable morphology, surface chemistry, and adsorptive properties for application in supercapacitors. First, residues from white birch were converted into biochar by fast pyrolysis (~ 450 °C). Then, physical (using CO2) or chemical (using KOH) activation was carried out in a homemade pilot-scale furnace at 900 °C. These synthesized materials presented distinct porosity structures: micro-/mesoporous (CO2 material) and highly microporous (KOH material), reaching surface areas of up to 1700 m2 g−1. Electrochemical results showed that KOH-activated biochar had higher specific electrical capacitance in both acidic and neutral electrolytes with a maximum specific capacitance value of 350 and 118 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, respectively; while, for CO2-activated biochar, the maximum obtained values were 204 and 14 F g−1. The greater proportion of oxygenated and nitrogenated functional groups on the surface of the KOH activated biochar, along with its high surface area (with wider porosity), improved its performance as a supercapacitor electrode. Specifically, the low proportion of ultramicropores was determinant for its better electrochemical behavior, especially in the neutral electrolyte. Indeed, these results are similar to those found in the literature on the electrical capacitance of carbonaceous materials synthesized in a small-scale furnace. Thus, the chemical-activated biochar made from wood residues in pilot-scale furnaces is a promising material for use as electrodes for supercapacitors.

ACS Style

Flavia Lega Braghiroli; Andrés Cuña; Elen Leal Da Silva; Gisele Amaral-Labat; Guilherme F. B. Lenz E Silva; Hassine Bouafif; Ahmed Koubaa. The conversion of wood residues, using pilot-scale technologies, into porous activated biochars for supercapacitors. Journal of Porous Materials 2019, 27, 537 -548.

AMA Style

Flavia Lega Braghiroli, Andrés Cuña, Elen Leal Da Silva, Gisele Amaral-Labat, Guilherme F. B. Lenz E Silva, Hassine Bouafif, Ahmed Koubaa. The conversion of wood residues, using pilot-scale technologies, into porous activated biochars for supercapacitors. Journal of Porous Materials. 2019; 27 (2):537-548.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Flavia Lega Braghiroli; Andrés Cuña; Elen Leal Da Silva; Gisele Amaral-Labat; Guilherme F. B. Lenz E Silva; Hassine Bouafif; Ahmed Koubaa. 2019. "The conversion of wood residues, using pilot-scale technologies, into porous activated biochars for supercapacitors." Journal of Porous Materials 27, no. 2: 537-548.

Journal article
Published: 16 November 2019 in Forests
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Essential oils (EOs) are natural and economically valuable aromatic compounds obtained from a variety of crops and trees, including forest trees, which have different therapeutic and biological activities. This project aims to assess the impact of different residual forest biomass pretreatments on the yield and the properties of EOs, including their antibacterial and antioxidant characteristics. Forest biomass from black spruce (BS, Picea mariana Mill.), balsam fir (BF, Abies balsamea), and jack pine (JP, Pinus banksiana Lamb.) was processed mechanically by (i) shredding, (ii) grinding, (iii) pelletizing, and (iv) bundling. EOs were then extracted by hydro- and steam distillation. The densification into bundles was found to improve EOs yield compared to the other residual forest biomass pretreatments. For example, the yield of bundled BF was improved by 68%, 83%, and 93% compared to shredded, ground, and granulated biomass, respectively. The highest yield was obtained when densification into bundles was combined with extraction through hydrodistillation. As for EOs’ chemical composition, JP had the highest polyphenol content and consequently the greatest antioxidant activity. EOs derived from BS inhibited the growth of Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and Gram-negative Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli bacteria. The densification of forest biomass into bundles did not affect the antioxidant capacity or the antibacterial activity of EOs, thereby preserving both properties. Thus, the pretreatment of forest biomass residue could have an impact on the volume and the transport costs and therefore improve the bioproducts market and the bioeconomy in Canada.

ACS Style

Mayssa Hmaied; Hassine Bouafif; Sara Magdouli; Flavia Lega Braghiroli; Ahmed Koubaa. Effect of Forest Biomass Pretreatment on Essential Oil Yield and Properties. Forests 2019, 10, 1042 .

AMA Style

Mayssa Hmaied, Hassine Bouafif, Sara Magdouli, Flavia Lega Braghiroli, Ahmed Koubaa. Effect of Forest Biomass Pretreatment on Essential Oil Yield and Properties. Forests. 2019; 10 (11):1042.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mayssa Hmaied; Hassine Bouafif; Sara Magdouli; Flavia Lega Braghiroli; Ahmed Koubaa. 2019. "Effect of Forest Biomass Pretreatment on Essential Oil Yield and Properties." Forests 10, no. 11: 1042.

Original paper
Published: 16 November 2019 in Waste and Biomass Valorization
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A recent trend in ecofriendly product development is the use of added-value lignin residues. This study aimed to assess the potential use of pyrolytic lignin (PL) for producing rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF). For this purpose, PL was recovered from bio-oil using water as extraction solvent. The PL was then subjected to oxypropylation in the presence of KOH and under mild temperature and pressure (482 K; 14 Bar). FTIR and hydroxyl number quantification was used to confirm and assess the occurrence of oxypropylation reaction. Thus, oxypropylated lignin (OL) was successfully used to produce RPUF. Results revealed a lignin recovery yield of 30 ± 4% relative to the bio-oil weight. FTIR and NMR showed that the PL retained its aromatic structure after pyrolysis cracking. The weight ratio obtained after oxypropylation was 50/50/5 lignin/propylene oxide/KOH with a hydroxyl number of 703 mg KOH/g. Gradual substitution of polyol with OL ranged from 10 to 50%, and the ensuing foams were characterized in terms of chemical, physical, and morphological properties. Modulus of elasticity and insulation performance of 20% OL-based foam increased by 17% and 5.5%, respectively, compared to the commercial rigid polyurethane foam (CRPUF). SEM micrographs for OL-based polyurethane foams showed smaller cell structure, which is desirable for increasing rigidity. These findings demonstrate the potential use of pyrolytic lignin in the manufacturing of high performance biobased insulation materials.

ACS Style

Thana Saffar; Hassine Bouafif; Flavia Lega Braghiroli; Sara Magdouli; Armand Langlois; Ahmed Koubaa. Production of Bio-based Polyol from Oxypropylated Pyrolytic Lignin for Rigid Polyurethane Foam Application. Waste and Biomass Valorization 2019, 11, 6411 -6427.

AMA Style

Thana Saffar, Hassine Bouafif, Flavia Lega Braghiroli, Sara Magdouli, Armand Langlois, Ahmed Koubaa. Production of Bio-based Polyol from Oxypropylated Pyrolytic Lignin for Rigid Polyurethane Foam Application. Waste and Biomass Valorization. 2019; 11 (11):6411-6427.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Thana Saffar; Hassine Bouafif; Flavia Lega Braghiroli; Sara Magdouli; Armand Langlois; Ahmed Koubaa. 2019. "Production of Bio-based Polyol from Oxypropylated Pyrolytic Lignin for Rigid Polyurethane Foam Application." Waste and Biomass Valorization 11, no. 11: 6411-6427.

Review
Published: 08 October 2019 in Biomolecules
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Tannins are one of the most natural, non-toxic, and highly reactive aromatic biomolecules classified as polyphenols. The reactive phenolic compounds present in their chemical structure can be an alternative precursor for the preparation of several polymeric materials for applications in distinct industries: adhesives and coatings, leather tanning, wood protection, wine manufacture, animal feed industries, and recently also in the production of new porous materials (i.e., foams and gels). Among these new polymeric materials synthesized with tannins, organic and carbon gels have shown remarkable textural and physicochemical properties. Thus, this review presents and discusses the available studies on organic and carbon gels produced from tannin feedstock and how their properties are related to the different operating conditions, hence causing their cross-linking reaction mechanisms. Moreover, the steps during tannin gels preparation, such as the gelation and curing processes (under normal or hydrothermal conditions), solvent extraction, and gel drying approaches (i.e., supercritical, subcritical, and freeze-drying) as well as the methods available for their carbonization (i.e., pyrolysis and activation) are presented and discussed. Findings from organic and carbon tannin gels features demonstrate that their physicochemical and textural properties can vary greatly depending on the synthesis parameters, drying conditions, and carbonization methods. Research is still ongoing on the improvement of tannin gels synthesis and properties, but the review evaluates the application of these highly porous materials in multidisciplinary areas of science and engineering, including thermal insulation, contaminant sorption in drinking water and wastewater, and electrochemistry. Finally, the substitution of phenolic materials (i.e., phenol and resorcinol) by tannin in the production of gels could be beneficial to both the bioeconomy and the environment due to its low-cost, bio-based, non-toxic, and non-carcinogenic characteristics.

ACS Style

Flavia Lega Braghiroli; Gisele Amaral-Labat; Alan Boss; Clément Lacoste; Antonio Pizzi; Amaral- Labat; Boss. Tannin Gels and Their Carbon Derivatives: A Review. Biomolecules 2019, 9, 587 .

AMA Style

Flavia Lega Braghiroli, Gisele Amaral-Labat, Alan Boss, Clément Lacoste, Antonio Pizzi, Amaral- Labat, Boss. Tannin Gels and Their Carbon Derivatives: A Review. Biomolecules. 2019; 9 (10):587.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Flavia Lega Braghiroli; Gisele Amaral-Labat; Alan Boss; Clément Lacoste; Antonio Pizzi; Amaral- Labat; Boss. 2019. "Tannin Gels and Their Carbon Derivatives: A Review." Biomolecules 9, no. 10: 587.

Review
Published: 30 August 2019 in Waste and Biomass Valorization
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Biochar is a carbon-rich organic material that has advantageous physicochemical properties for applications in multidisciplinary areas of science and engineering, including soil amendment, carbon sequestration, bioenergy production, and site rehabilitation. However, the typically low porosity and surface area of biochars (from 0.1 to 500 m2 g−1) limits the suitability for other applications, such as catalysis, electrochemistry, energy storage, and contaminant sorption in drinking water and wastewater. Given the high global demand for activated carbon products, scientists and industrialists are exploring the potential of biochar-derived biomass as precursors for activated carbons. This review presents and discusses the available studies on activated biochars produced from various precursor feedstocks and under different operating conditions in a two-step procedure: pyro-gasification (torrefaction, slow to flash pyrolysis, and gasification) followed by activation (physical, chemical or physicochemical). Findings from several case studies demonstrate that lignocellulosic residues provide attractive precursors, and that chemical activation of the derived biochars at high temperature and long residence time produces highly porous end materials. Indeed, the porosity of activated biochars varies greatly (from 200 to 2500 m2 g−1), depending on the pyro-gasification operating conditions and the feedstock (different feedstocks have distinct morphological and chemical structures). The results also indicate that the development of highly porous activated biochars for diverse purposes (e.g., electrodes for electrochemical energy storage devices, catalyst supports and adsorbents for water treatment) would benefit both the bioeconomy and the environment. Notably, it would leverage the potential of added-value biomass as an economical, non-fossil, readily available, and renewable energy source.

ACS Style

Flavia Lega Braghiroli; Hassine Bouafif; Carmen Mihaela Neculita; Ahmed Koubaa. Influence of Pyro-Gasification and Activation Conditions on the Porosity of Activated Biochars: A Literature Review. Waste and Biomass Valorization 2019, 11, 5079 -5098.

AMA Style

Flavia Lega Braghiroli, Hassine Bouafif, Carmen Mihaela Neculita, Ahmed Koubaa. Influence of Pyro-Gasification and Activation Conditions on the Porosity of Activated Biochars: A Literature Review. Waste and Biomass Valorization. 2019; 11 (9):5079-5098.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Flavia Lega Braghiroli; Hassine Bouafif; Carmen Mihaela Neculita; Ahmed Koubaa. 2019. "Influence of Pyro-Gasification and Activation Conditions on the Porosity of Activated Biochars: A Literature Review." Waste and Biomass Valorization 11, no. 9: 5079-5098.