Hydrochars from Lignocellulosic Residues for Green Electronics, Environmental Remediation, Energy and Agricultural Applications

The use of residues to obtain high-value materials, compounds, and products has gained attention in the last decade. Examples of lignocellulosic residues that are relevant to the Ecuadorian reality are those related to banana, cocoa, moringa, mango, and rice crops, among others. For instance, the banana, cocoa, and mango agribusinesses in Ecuador are recognized worldwide for having high-quality products that are attractive to consumers. However, their waste usually does not enter the value chain of industries, and millions of tons of waste are generated annually without relevant industrial reuse. Another example is the blackberry (Rubus niveus), which is considered one of the worst invasive plants in the Galapagos Islands, causing serious problems for local biodiversity and agriculture. Control methods such as manual eradication, application of herbicides, and biological control have been tried without significant success. There is also the added problem that agro-ecosystems in the islands are affected by low productivity caused, among other things, by the lack of local fertilizers. The goal of this project is to physically, chemically, and electrically characterize lignocellulosic residues in their native and hydrochar forms to suggest potential electrical, agricultural, and environmental applications that promote a circular engineering approach along with sustainable and green technological methods.