Use of Nanocomposite Biochar for Environmental Remediation, Soil Health, and Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Nanocomposite biochar has emerged as a multifunctional carbon-based material with exceptional potential to address interconnected challenges in environmental remediation, soil degradation, and sustainable agriculture. By integrating biochar with nanoscale constituents such as metal oxides, carbon nanostructures, and mineral nanoparticles, the resulting composites exhibit markedly enhanced surface reactivity, porosity, redox activity, and functional group diversity compared with conventional biochar. These advanced properties enable efficient immobilization and removal of heavy metals, organic contaminants, and emerging pollutants from soil and water systems, while simultaneously improving nutrient retention, soil structure, and microbial activity. Recent evidence also highlights the role of nanocomposite biochar in promoting crop productivity, mitigating abiotic stresses, enhancing fertilizer use efficiency, and contributing to long-term carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. Although several reviews have discussed conventional biochar applications, limited attention has been given to the multifunctional role of nanocomposite biochar, which integrates adsorption, catalysis, nutrient management, and climate-resilient agricultural applications within a single framework. Moreover, critical discussions regarding synthesis strategies, environmental safety, scalability, and future agricultural implementation remain fragmented in the existing literature. This review critically synthesizes recent progress in synthesis strategies, physicochemical characterization, and application pathways of nanocomposite biochar across environmental and agricultural domains. Key challenges related to environmental safety, long-term stability, scalability, and regulatory considerations are examined, and future research priorities are outlined to support responsible development and field-level adoption. Overall, nanocomposite biochar represents a promising, integrative platform for advancing resilient agroecosystems and sustainable environmental management.