# Enhancing the Photocatalytic Performance of WO3/AgBr Composites Through the Incorporation of Olive Waste-Derived Biochar Obtained Under Controlled Pyrolysis Conditions

## TL;DR

This paper shows how adding biochar from olive waste can improve the efficiency of a photocatalyst in breaking down pollutants in water.

## Contribution

The study systematically explores the use of olive pruning-derived biochar in WO3/AgBr composites for enhanced photocatalytic performance.

## Key findings

- Biochar from olive pruning with a surface area of 487 m²/g was successfully integrated into the photocatalyst.
- The mechanical and in situ incorporation methods significantly influenced the photocatalytic activity of the composites.
- The composite with 10 wt.% biochar showed improved degradation of Rhodamine B under controlled conditions.

## Abstract

The integration of biochars into photocatalytic systems to increase their efficiency in the degradation of different pollutants in water has gained attention in recent years. However, systematic studies on optimizing biochar properties for photocatalysis remain limited. This work explores the incorporation of biochar from olive pruning (BCO), produced via CO2 pyrolysis at 800 °C, into WO3/AgBr photocatalysts for Rhodamine B degradation used as a model pollutant. Characterization of BCO reveals a hydrophilic, porous material (487 m2/g surface area) rich in mineral content (notably CaCO3). The study evaluates the effects of incorporation method (mechanical vs. in situ) and biochar content (1 and 10 wt. %) on photocatalytic performance. Comprehensive characterization of BCO and the resulting composites supports the observed activity trends. The findings highlight the potential of agricultural waste valorization for environmental remediation and offer insights into designing efficient biochar-based photocatalytic systems.