Towards biowastes valorization: Peanut shell as resource for quality chemicals and activated biochar production

The purpose of this work was to transform a regional biowaste into value-added chemicals and products through a modest thermo-catalytic pyrolysis process. ZSM-11 (Zeolite Socony Mobile-11) zeolites modified by nickel (Ni) incorporation (1–8 wt%) were synthesized and characterized by means of X-Ray Diffraction, Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy, Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy, UV–Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectra and Temperature Programmed Reduction. Results demonstrated that Ni was mainly incorporated as oxide. These porous materials were evaluated as heterogeneous catalysts to improve biooil composition. In this sense, higher hydrocarbon yields, and quality chemicals were obtained and oxygenates were diminished. The deactivation of the most active material was studied over six cycles of reaction. In order to achieve the circular bioeconomy postulates, the obtained biochar (usually considered a residue) was further transformed through a physicochemical activation. The obtained activated biochars were extensively characterized.