Palm kernel shell (PKS) biochars with different levels of carbon conversion were initially prepared using a tube furnace

after which the reactivity of each sample was assessed with a thermogravimetric analyzer under a CO

2

atmosphere. The pore structure and carbon ordering of each biochar also examined

employing a surface area analyzer and a Raman spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric results showed that the gasification index R

s

of the PKS biochar decreased from 0.0305 min

-1

at carbon conversion (x)=20% to 0.0278 min

-1

at x=40%. The expansion of micropores was the dominant process during the pore structure evolution

ad mesopores with sizes ranging from 6 to 20

48 to 50 nm were primarily generated during gasification under a CO

2

/H

2

O mixture. The proportion of amorphous carbon in the PKS biochar decreased significantly as x increased

suggesting that the proportion of ordered carbon was increased during the CO

2

/H

2

O mixed gasification. A significantly reduced total reaction time was observed when employing a CO

2

/intermittent H

2

O process along with an 83.46% reduction in the steam feed

compared with the amount required using a CO

2

/H

2

O atmosphere.