Sustainable multifunctional biochar-based cementitious composites for carbon sequestration, energy storage, and smart infrastructure applications: A review

The decarbonization of construction materials requires multifunctional systems that simultaneously deliver mechanical performance, environmental benefit, and smart functionalities. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of biochar-based cementitious composites as bio-based, carbon-negative ma...

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Main Authors: Hilal Khan, Zamil Bin Zahid, Fazal Hussain, Junaid Ahmad, Rao Arsalan Khushnood
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-12-01
Series:Case Studies in Construction Materials
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525009155
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author Hilal Khan
Zamil Bin Zahid
Fazal Hussain
Junaid Ahmad
Rao Arsalan Khushnood
author_facet Hilal Khan
Zamil Bin Zahid
Fazal Hussain
Junaid Ahmad
Rao Arsalan Khushnood
author_sort Hilal Khan
collection DOAJ
description The decarbonization of construction materials requires multifunctional systems that simultaneously deliver mechanical performance, environmental benefit, and smart functionalities. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of biochar-based cementitious composites as bio-based, carbon-negative materials that unify structural enhancement, carbon sequestration, and supercapacitance behavior. This comprehensive review examines biochar-based cementitious composites as promising bio-based, carbon-negative materials that integrate structural enhancement, carbon sequestration, and smart functionalities. The review covers biochar's impact on flow properties, hydration kinetics, mechanical characteristics, durability performance, and smart functionalities including self-sensing, electromagnetic interference shielding, and energy storage capabilities. Microstructural analyses using advanced characterization techniques reveal the mechanisms underlying biochar's effects on cement matrix development. The sustainability assessment encompasses life cycle analysis and techno-economic evaluation, while stakeholder perspectives has also been discussed to provide insights into adoption potential. This review identifies critical research gaps and provides strategic recommendations for future development. These findings position biochar cementitious composite as a multifunctional, carbon-negative platform for circular, smart infrastructure, bridging materials science, sustainability, and real-world applicability in the built environment.
format Article
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issn 2214-5095
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publishDate 2025-12-01
publisher Elsevier
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series Case Studies in Construction Materials
spelling doaj-art-86d017eecfb14decaaebb5814e8a33db2025-08-20T03:20:04ZengElsevierCase Studies in Construction Materials2214-50952025-12-0123e0511710.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05117Sustainable multifunctional biochar-based cementitious composites for carbon sequestration, energy storage, and smart infrastructure applications: A reviewHilal Khan0Zamil Bin Zahid1Fazal Hussain2Junaid Ahmad3Rao Arsalan Khushnood4NUST Institute of Civil Engineering (NICE), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Sector H-12, Islamabad 44000, PakistanNUST Institute of Civil Engineering (NICE), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Sector H-12, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan; Correspondence to: NUST Institute of Civil Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), H-12, Islamabad 44000, PakistanDepartment of Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, 6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78412, USANUST Institute of Civil Engineering (NICE), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Sector H-12, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan; Correspondence to: NUST Institute of Civil Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), H-12, Islamabad 44000, PakistanTunneling Institute of Pakistan, Islamabad, PakistanThe decarbonization of construction materials requires multifunctional systems that simultaneously deliver mechanical performance, environmental benefit, and smart functionalities. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of biochar-based cementitious composites as bio-based, carbon-negative materials that unify structural enhancement, carbon sequestration, and supercapacitance behavior. This comprehensive review examines biochar-based cementitious composites as promising bio-based, carbon-negative materials that integrate structural enhancement, carbon sequestration, and smart functionalities. The review covers biochar's impact on flow properties, hydration kinetics, mechanical characteristics, durability performance, and smart functionalities including self-sensing, electromagnetic interference shielding, and energy storage capabilities. Microstructural analyses using advanced characterization techniques reveal the mechanisms underlying biochar's effects on cement matrix development. The sustainability assessment encompasses life cycle analysis and techno-economic evaluation, while stakeholder perspectives has also been discussed to provide insights into adoption potential. This review identifies critical research gaps and provides strategic recommendations for future development. These findings position biochar cementitious composite as a multifunctional, carbon-negative platform for circular, smart infrastructure, bridging materials science, sustainability, and real-world applicability in the built environment.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525009155BiocharCementitious compositesCarbon negative concreteCarbon sequestrationConductive fillersMultifunctional concrete
spellingShingle Hilal Khan
Zamil Bin Zahid
Fazal Hussain
Junaid Ahmad
Rao Arsalan Khushnood
Sustainable multifunctional biochar-based cementitious composites for carbon sequestration, energy storage, and smart infrastructure applications: A review
Case Studies in Construction Materials
Biochar
Cementitious composites
Carbon negative concrete
Carbon sequestration
Conductive fillers
Multifunctional concrete
title Sustainable multifunctional biochar-based cementitious composites for carbon sequestration, energy storage, and smart infrastructure applications: A review
title_full Sustainable multifunctional biochar-based cementitious composites for carbon sequestration, energy storage, and smart infrastructure applications: A review
title_fullStr Sustainable multifunctional biochar-based cementitious composites for carbon sequestration, energy storage, and smart infrastructure applications: A review
title_full_unstemmed Sustainable multifunctional biochar-based cementitious composites for carbon sequestration, energy storage, and smart infrastructure applications: A review
title_short Sustainable multifunctional biochar-based cementitious composites for carbon sequestration, energy storage, and smart infrastructure applications: A review
title_sort sustainable multifunctional biochar based cementitious composites for carbon sequestration energy storage and smart infrastructure applications a review
topic Biochar
Cementitious composites
Carbon negative concrete
Carbon sequestration
Conductive fillers
Multifunctional concrete
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525009155
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