Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42738714›Full record

ReviewMolecules (Basel, Switzerland)2026

Response Surface Methodology for Biochar Performance Optimization: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Review.

Chang Liu, Jian Wang, Ziyan Zhou, Mingqing Liu, Wu Lei, Fenghe Wang, Shengtian Zhang, Jing Hua, Jiaqi Shi

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Chang LiuNanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, Nanjing 210042, China.ORCID 0009-0005-0222-3376
Jian WangNanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, Nanjing 210042, China.
Ziyan ZhouNanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, Nanjing 210042, China.
Mingqing LiuNanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, Nanjing 210042, China.ORCID 0000-0001-5448-8273
Wu LeiSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China.ORCID 0000-0002-7658-3121
Fenghe WangSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China.
Shengtian ZhangNanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, Nanjing 210042, China.
Jing HuaNanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, Nanjing 210042, China.ORCID 0009-0008-4035-6171
Jiaqi ShiNanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, Nanjing 210042, China.ORCID 0000-0002-0492-3772

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Biochar, as a widely available and environmentally friendly porous carbonaceous material, holds broad application prospects in fields such as environmental remediation, soil improvement, and carbon sequestration. Its performance is highly dependent on the precise control of preparation processes and modification conditions. Traditional single-factor experiments and orthogonal designs cannot systematically reveal the interaction effects among multiple factors; they suffer from limitations such as a large number of experiments, low optimization efficiency, and a tendency to overlook global optimal solutions. Response surface methodology (RSM), which integrates experimental design, mathematical modeling, and parameter optimization, is an effective tool for solving complex optimization problems involving multiple factors and levels. Based on 1468 valid publications screened from the Web of Science Core Collection (2010-2025), this paper systematically reviews the development trajectory and research landscape of this field using bibliometric methods. The results show that the annual number of publications in this field increased from 4 in 2010 to 312 in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 33.7%. Research hotspots were concentrated in three major areas: optimization of adsorption performance, control of pyrolysis preparation processes, and chemical modification. Central composite designs and Box-Behnken designs were the most prevalent experimental approaches, accounting for 56.8% and 35.5%, respectively. Building on this foundation, this paper elucidates the basic principles of RSM and the applicability limits of commonly used design methods. It examines the optimization effectiveness and the value of analyzing interaction effects of RSM from three dimensions-biochar adsorption performance, preparation processes, and modification processes-in conjunction with typical application scenarios such as heavy metals, organic compounds, and non-metallic inorganic compounds; it also provides an in-depth analysis of core issues in current research, including limitations in secondary model fitting, inadequacies in multi-objective optimization, and significant extrapolation risks. Finally, the paper outlines future research directions, aiming to provide a systematic theoretical framework for the precise R&D and engineering applications of biochar materials.

Indexed as

adsorption performancebiocharmodificationparameter optimizationpreparation processresponse surface methodology

Identifiers

PMID42738714
PMCPMC13567260

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.