US 12,269,785 B2
Microwave mediated biochar and biochar hydrogel composite synthesis
Gang Chen, Tallahassee, FL (US)
Assigned to The Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc., Tallahassee, FL (US)
Filed by The Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc., Tallahassee, FL (US)
Filed on Dec. 1, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/539,699.
Prior Publication US 2023/0167035 A1, Jun. 1, 2023
Int. Cl. C05C 9/00 (2006.01); C05F 5/00 (2006.01); C05G 1/00 (2006.01); C05G 5/18 (2020.01); C05G 5/40 (2020.01)
CPC C05F 5/002 (2013.01) [C05C 9/00 (2013.01); C05G 1/00 (2013.01); C05G 5/18 (2020.02); C05G 5/40 (2020.02)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A biochar-hydrogel composite comprising:
a hydrogel matrix, a nitrogen source, and a biochar material,
wherein the hydrogel matrix comprises a porous structure and a surface,
wherein the biochar material is uniformly dispersed in the hydrogel matrix porous structure and on the hydrogel matrix surface,
wherein the biochar-hydrogel composite comprises a porous structure with a coarse surface,
wherein the biochar-hydrogel composite has a water absorption capacity of at least 5%;
wherein the composite releases at least 20% of nitrogen content after 30 days,
wherein the hydrogel matrix comprises a first polymeric material and a second polymeric material,
wherein the first polymeric material consists essentially of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyalkylene glycols, polyalkylene oxides, hydroxypropyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, polyacrylamide, copolymers or mixtures thereof;
wherein the second polymeric material consists essentially of gelatin, chitosan, alginate, gellan gum, cellulose, derivatized celluloses, or any combination thereof; and
wherein the biochar material is derived from a feedstock consisting of biosolid, switchgrass, water oak leaves, or any combination thereof.