# Special Issue on New Carbon Materials from Biomass and Their Applications
## 2 New Carbon Materials from Biomass and Their Applications
It was observed that the cumulative ammonium nitrogen in the blended biochar pellets was slow released over the 77 days of precipitation period, but nitrite nitrogen was rapidly released, i.e., within 15 days of precipitation. Accumulated phosphate phosphorus concentrations were not much different, and slowly released until the final precipitation period. These findings indicated that blended biochar pellets can be used as slow-release fertilizers for agricultural practices. The effect of biochar application depth on crop productivity under tropical rainfed conditions was researched by [PERSON] et al. [11]. The study determined the effect of biochar application depth on the productivity of NERICA-4 upland rice cultivars under tropical rainfed conditions, concluding that the biochar can enhance crop productivity. Finally, [PERSON] et al. [12] evaluated the use of biochar and compost mixes as substitutes to a commercial propagation mix. High percentages (70% or 80%, by volume) of biochars with vermicompost or chicken manure compost were evaluated to substitute a commercial propagation mix. The combination of biochars with vermicompost improves the results, however the mixture with chicken manure compost was not recommended. The use of biomass waste as a potential environmentally friendly energy source is also a relevant research field. In this sense, [PERSON] et al. [13] studied the use of biochar briquettes for foundry industry. The foundry industry, like many others, is currently facing challenges to reduce the environmental impacts from application of fossil fuels. Replacing foundry coke with alternative renewable carbon sources can lead to significant decreases in fossil fuel consumption and fossil CO\({}_{2}\) emission. The work was aimed at the design, optimization, and development of briquettes containing biochar for an efficient use in cupola furnace. Biomass-derived carbons are also being extensively analyzed as part of catalysts and/or catalyst's support in different catalytic reactions. [PERSON] et al. [14] synthesized solid acid catalysts by one-step carbonization and sulfonation of _Salix psummophila_ in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid. The catalysts were used in the esterification reaction between oleic acid and methanol to prepare the biodiesel, achieving a conversion of 94.15% in the optimized conditions. [PERSON] et al. [15] reports the process simulation and economic evaluation of a two-stage bio-oil hydrogenation process. An Aspen Plus process simulation model was developed for the two-stage bio-oil hydrogenation demonstration plant, which was used to evaluate the effect of catalyst coking on the bio-oil upgrading process and the economic performance of the process. The model was also used to investigate the effect of catalyst deactivation caused by coke deposition in the mild stage. Finally, we would like to mention two review contributions. The first one by [PERSON] et al. [16] reviewed the preparation and modification of biochar materials and their application in soil remediation, which was extensively treated in this special issue. The wide application of biochar is due to its abilities to remove pollutants, remediate contaminated soil, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The study analyzed the influence of preparation methods, process parameters, and modification methods on the physicochemical properties of biochar, as well as the mechanisms of biochar in the remediation of soil pollution. The biochar applications in soil remediation in the past years were summarized, such as the removal of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and the improvement of soil quality. The review also details the potential risks of biochar applications and the future research directions. The second review by [PERSON] et al. [17] reported the use of biochar for environmental applications. The article reviews the information related to the broad uses of carbonization products.