Author(s)

Anna Kolganova, Rattan Lal, Jeffrey Firkins

College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA.

The chemical composition of biochar and the pyrolysis temperature, under which biochar was produced, determine its electrochemical properties. Electrical conductivity, pseudo-capacitance, and double layer capacitance are the three main electrochemical properties of biochar. Due to the electrical conductivity biochar is able to interfere with the electrons flow and play a dual role of an electron donor or an electron acceptor. The average conductivity of biochar is 229.20 S/m. Pseudocapacitance of biochar lets it serve as a hydrogen sink, taking up the hydrogen produced by protozoa and preventing it from participating in methane-producing reactions in the rumen environment. The average value of biochar’s pseudocapacitance is 228 F·g^-1. Positive and negative charges get stored due to the absorption of ions onto the carbon surface, which happens because of the existence of double layer capacitance as one of biochar’s electrochemical properties. Biochar’s double layer capacitance values can reach the point of 110.8 F·g^-1. The electrochemical properties of biochar are directly co-dependent with its redox potential and pH. Electrical conductivity, pseudocapacitance, and double layer capacitance can significantly influence biochemical processes in the rumen and, thus, need to be studied practically.

Biochar, Ruminants, Methanogenesis, Soil

Kolganova, A. , Lal, R. and Firkins, J. (2023) Biochar’s Electrochemical Properties Impact on Methanogenesis: Ruminal vs. Soil Processes. Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment, 12, 28-43. doi: 10.4236/jacen.2023.121003.