Abstract: Provided are methods for preparing carbon powders and activated carbon powders from cellulose-containing liquids. In some embodiments, the methods include exposing a cellulose-containing liquid to a hydrothermal carbonization process to convert the carbonaceous material present therein into a carbon powder. Also provided are methods for activating carbon powders, methods for producing carbon powder-containing polymer matrices, and carbon powders, activated carbon powders, and polymer matrices that that include the disclosed carbon powders and/or activated carbon powders that are produced by the presently disclosed methods.

Abstract: Provided are methods for preparing carbon powders and activated carbon powders from cellulose-containing liquids. In some embodiments, the methods include exposing a cellulose-containing liquid to a hydrothermal carbonization process to convert the carbonaceous material present therein into a carbon powder. Also provided are methods for activating carbon powders, methods for producing carbon powder-containing polymer matrices, and carbon powders, activated carbon powders, and polymer matrices that that include the disclosed carbon powders and/or activated carbon powders that are produced by the presently disclosed methods.

Abstract: A wax composition can be incorporated into a biomass mixture, such as a woody biomass mixture, for formation of pellets, such as wood fuel pellets. The addition of wax compositions with suitable amounts of n-paraffins relative to the amount of oil-in-wax can result in biomass pellets with improved properties, such as improved durability and/or reduced tendency to uptake moisture during storage. Addition of a suitable wax composition can also allow for formation of biomass pellets with improved properties while also reducing or minimizing the power requirements during pellet formation.