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What is the impact of autoclaving on biochar properties?

Our microbial inoculation study requires sterile biochar. The standard lab practice is autoclaving, but I've read concerns that high-pressure steam can modify surface chemistry and porosity. I need to understand the specific, evidence-based changes to properly interpret our results and justify our sterilization method in publications.

 

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By Mathew Answered 2 years ago

This is a critical and often overlooked methodological detail. I've characterized biochar before and after autoclaving, and the effects are non-trivial. The steam can hydrolyze and oxidize surface groups, increasing oxygen content and mildly raising pH. More notably, it can cause micro-fracturing, potentially increasing micropore accessibility. While it effectively sterilizes, I recommend you always include a characterization of your sterilized biochar in your methods, not just the "as-produced" material. For very sensitive surface studies, some groups use gamma irradiation, but for most agronomic tests, autoclaving is standard, provided you document it.

 

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