Integrated physicochemical and structural characterization of date palm pit–derived biochar produced by slow pyrolysis

Amjed Salata; Galina Borisova; Maria Maleva

doi:10.18393/ejss.1885879

Integrated physicochemical and structural characterization of date palm pit–derived biochar produced by slow pyrolysis

Abstract

Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced via biomass pyrolysis, has attracted growing attention due to its diverse physicochemical properties and potential relevance in soil-related and environmental applications. In this study, biochar was produced from date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) pit residues, an abundant agro-industrial by-product, through slow pyrolysis at temperatures of 350 °C. The resulting material was systematically characterized to evaluate its physicochemical and structural attributes using proximate analysis, pH and cation exchange capacity (CEC) measurements, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis. The characterization results revealed that the produced biochar had a high yield of 75%, a low ash content (1.22%), and an acidic pH of 4.46. The biochar also exhibited a carbon-rich composition with a fixed carbon content of 27.3%, a measurable BET surface area of 18.22 m² g⁻¹, and a cation exchange capacity of 20.45 (cmol(+) kg⁻¹) These properties reflect the structural and chemical features of the biochar generated under the applied pyrolysis conditions. While no soil or biological performance was evaluated in this study, the measured physicochemical characteristics suggest potential relevance for future soil-based or environmental assessments. Overall, this work demonstrates the valorization of date palm pit residues into biochar with well-defined physicochemical and structural properties, contributing to waste management strategies and circular bioeconomy approaches. Further studies are recommended to assess the performance of this material under specific application conditions.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation

Project Number

FEUZ-2024-0011

Thanks

The work was supported and funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (project FEUZ-2024-0011). The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to Ural Federal University, Institute of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Department of Experimental Biology and Biotechnology, for providing the research facilities, academic guidance, and technical support essential for the successful completion of this work.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Soil Sciences and Plant Nutrition (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Amjed Salata ^*
0000-0001-7285-1566
Russian Federation

Galina Borisova This is me
0000-0001-6663-9948
Russian Federation

Maria Maleva
0000-0003-1686-6071
Russian Federation

Publication Date

April 1, 2026

Submission Date

November 28, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 4, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1885879

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA26HG26XN

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Salata, A., Borisova, G., & Maleva, M. (2026). Integrated physicochemical and structural characterization of date palm pit–derived biochar produced by slow pyrolysis. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, 15(2), 242-252. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1885879

AMA

1.Salata A, Borisova G, Maleva M. Integrated physicochemical and structural characterization of date palm pit–derived biochar produced by slow pyrolysis. EJSS. 2026;15(2):242-252. doi:10.18393/ejss.1885879

Chicago

Salata, Amjed, Galina Borisova, and Maria Maleva. 2026. “Integrated Physicochemical and Structural Characterization of Date Palm Pit–derived Biochar Produced by Slow Pyrolysis”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15 (2): 242-52. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1885879.

EndNote

Salata A, Borisova G, Maleva M (April 1, 2026) Integrated physicochemical and structural characterization of date palm pit–derived biochar produced by slow pyrolysis. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15 2 242–252.

IEEE

[1]A. Salata, G. Borisova, and M. Maleva, “Integrated physicochemical and structural characterization of date palm pit–derived biochar produced by slow pyrolysis”, EJSS, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 242–252, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.18393/ejss.1885879.

ISNAD

Salata, Amjed - Borisova, Galina - Maleva, Maria. “Integrated Physicochemical and Structural Characterization of Date Palm Pit–derived Biochar Produced by Slow Pyrolysis”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15/2 (April 1, 2026): 242-252. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1885879.

JAMA

1.Salata A, Borisova G, Maleva M. Integrated physicochemical and structural characterization of date palm pit–derived biochar produced by slow pyrolysis. EJSS. 2026;15:242–252.

MLA

Salata, Amjed, et al. “Integrated Physicochemical and Structural Characterization of Date Palm Pit–derived Biochar Produced by Slow Pyrolysis”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 15, no. 2, Apr. 2026, pp. 242-5, doi:10.18393/ejss.1885879.

Vancouver

1.Amjed Salata, Galina Borisova, Maria Maleva. Integrated physicochemical and structural characterization of date palm pit–derived biochar produced by slow pyrolysis. EJSS. 2026 Apr. 1;15(2):242-5. doi:10.18393/ejss.1885879