Project summary

This final-year undergraduate research project, titled Eco-Friendly CO₂ Sequestration: Synthesis and Optimization of Biochar Adsorbents from Rice Husk Waste, focuses on converting abundant rice husk waste from Kano markets (e.g., Dawanau) into low-cost biochar adsorbents for capturing CO₂. Supervised by Dr. Shehu Shema in the Chemistry Department, the work uses simple pyrolysis and alkali modification to produce materials with enhanced CO₂ uptake, addressing climate change, agricultural waste pollution, and the need for affordable carbon capture in developing regions like Nigeria.

What are this project's goals? How will you achieve them?

The primary goals are to develop, characterize, and evaluate sustainable, high-performance biochar-based CO₂ adsorbents from rice husk, while demonstrating a cost-effective, replicable process suitable for resource-limited settings.

- Synthesize biochar via controlled pyrolysis at 400–600°C in a university muffle furnace. Literature shows this temperature range optimizes porosity and yield (typically 30–45% biochar from rice husk), with higher temperatures (around 500–600°C) enhancing surface area for better adsorption.

- Modify the surface using inexpensive alkalis like KOH or NaOH to introduce functional groups (e.g., -OH, -COOH) that boost CO₂ affinity. Studies confirm KOH activation significantly increases CO₂ capacity (e.g., up to 2–10 mmol/g or ~88–440 mg/g in optimized cases) by creating micropores and basic sites.

- Characterize the materials using accessible techniques: FTIR for functional groups, iodine number as a low-cost proxy for surface area (>500 mg/g target), pH/conductivity for alkalinity, and direct CO₂ uptake via weight gain in a sealed chamber.

- Quantify performance by measuring adsorption capacity (mg/g) under simulated conditions, aiming for results comparable to literature benchmarks (e.g., 150–340 mg/g in recent rice husk biochar studies with activation).

How will this funding be used?

- Raw materials and chemicals (~30%): Rice husk (free/local), KOH/NaOH, reagents → ₦50,000–₦100,000

- Lab consumables and testing supplies (~25%): CO₂ sources, glassware, filters, safety gear → ₦60,000–₦120,000

- Equipment access and minor fees (~20%): Muffle furnace/FTIR departmental charges → ₦50,000–₦100,000

- Publication fee (open access in Sustainability journal) (~20–25%): CHF 2400 (~₦2,500,000 max; request waiver to reduce) → ₦500,000–₦1,000,000 (conservative allocation; aim for waiver to stretch funds)

- Data analysis, printing, dissemination (~5–10%): Posters, minor tools → ₦30,000–₦50,000

- Total requested funding: ₦800,000-₦1,500,000 - approximately $600-$1,100 depending on exchange rates, (adjust based on exact needs; publication line shows ambition without over-requesting if waiver expected)

Who is on your team? What's your track record on similar projects?

- Principal Investigator/Student: Isah Idris Abdullahi (Matriculation No: PSC/2023/27181), final-year undergraduate in Pure and Applied Chemistry , with strong academic performance and hands-on lab experience in synthesis and characterization.

- Supervisor: Dr. Shehu Shema, experienced Lecturer in the Chemistry Department, Federal University of Dutsin-ma, Katsina guiding multiple student projects on materials science, environmental chemistry, and waste valorization.

As this is a final-year project, the "team" is small and focused. The student has completed prerequisite coursework in analytical chemistry, organic synthesis, and environmental science, including prior lab practicals involving pyrolysis, FTIR, and adsorption experiments. While no prior independent publications exist (typical for undergraduates), the supervisor's oversight ensures quality, and the project builds directly on established departmental capabilities.

What are the most likely causes and outcomes if this project fails?

Likely causes of failure (ranked by probability):

- Inconsistent pyrolysis conditions (e.g., oxygen leakage in furnace leading to low yield/poor porosity) — mitigated by following strict inert atmosphere protocols and multiple runs.

- Insufficient CO₂ uptake due to suboptimal modification (e.g., incomplete KOH activation) — addressed through iterative testing and literature-guided parameters.

- Equipment downtime or access issues in the department lab — contingency: schedule early, use alternative simple methods if needed.

- Sample contamination or measurement errors in weight gain tests — minimized with replicates and calibration.

If failure occurs:

- Worst case: No significant CO₂ adsorption improvement over raw husk (e.g., <50 mg/g), limiting publishable novelty but still yielding useful data on baseline performance and waste valorization.

- Positive outcomes even in partial failure: Data on pyrolysis yields, characterization results, and lessons on low-cost activation could inform future work or student theses. The project would still contribute to local knowledge on rice husk utilization, support waste management awareness, and fulfill degree requirements without wasted effort.

Mitigation emphasizes replicates (3–5 per condition), controls, and supervisor checkpoints to keep risks low.

How much money have you raised in the last 12 months, and from where?

As a final-year undergraduate student, no external funding has been raised in the last 12 months (or previously) for independent research. This is the first formal funding application for this project. All prior lab work has relied on departmental resources, personal contributions for minor supplies, and university-provided access. This grant would be the primary (and likely sole) funding source, enabling full execution beyond basic requirements.

This project offers high impact at low cost—repurposing local waste into climate solutions with strong scientific backing. Funding it delivers measurable environmental and educational returns. For questions or references, reach out via email: eeedreeth@gmail.com