Enhancing CO 2 Sequestration Through Corn Stalk Biochar-Enhanced Mortar: A Synergistic Approach with Algal Growth for Carbon Capture Applications

Suthatip Sinyoung, Ananya Jeeraro, Patchimaporn Udomkun, Kittipong Kunchariyakun, Margaret Graham and Puangrat Kaewlom ()
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Suthatip Sinyoung: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
Ananya Jeeraro: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
Patchimaporn Udomkun: Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Kittipong Kunchariyakun: School of Engineering and Technology, Walailak University, Nakhonsithammarat 80160, Thailand
Margaret Graham: School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK
Puangrat Kaewlom: Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 1, 1-30

Abstract: This study examines corn stalk biochar (CSB)-enhanced mortar as an innovative material for carbon capture and CO 2 sequestration. CSB, a renewable agricultural byproduct, was incorporated into cement mortar at varying concentrations (2.5% to 75%), and its effects on the mortar’s physicochemical properties, its ability to support algal growth, and the CO 2 absorption capacity of the algae were analyzed. Characterization of CSB showed a high carbon content (62.3%), significant porosity, and a large surface area (680.3 m 2 g −1 ), making it ideal for gas capture. At low concentrations (2.5%), CSB slightly improved the mortar’s compressive strength and density. However, higher CSB levels (5% to 75%) led to significant reductions ( p < 0.05) in strength and density, while water absorption increased. CO 2 sequestration monitored from algal growth studies revealed that both Chlorella sp. (TISTR 8262) and Scenedesmus sp. (TISTR 9384) thrived on CSB-enhanced mortars. At a 75% CSB concentration, Scenedesmus sp. achieved a 24.2-fold increase in biomass by day 12, outperforming Chlorella sp., which showed a 26.6-fold increase. CO 2 absorption also improved with biochar. Mortars with 75% CSB achieved an 86% CO 2 absorption ratio without algae, while adding algae boosted this to nearly 100%, highlighting the synergistic effect of biochar and algal photosynthesis. Higher CSB levels accelerated CO 2 absorption stabilization, reaching saturation by day 8 at 75% CSB. Scenedesmus sp. showed slightly higher CO 2 absorption efficiency than Chlorella sp., reaching peak absorption earlier and maintaining greater efficiency. Higher CSB concentrations accelerated CO 2 absorption, indicating that biochar–mortar mixtures, particularly when combined with algae, provide a promising solution for enhancing carbon capture and sequestration in green infrastructure.

Keywords: microalgae cultivation; biochar-amended growth media; mortar and biochar synergy; sustainable algal biomass; green building materials; environmental remediation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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