Work

Evaluating the Use of Chicken Eggshell Waste for Synthesizing Nano-Sized Calcium Aluminate Powder by Combining High-Energy Milling and Calcination

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In recent years, sustainable recycling approaches for chicken eggshell waste have increased significantly worldwide due to environmental and circular economy benefits. This work aimed to synthesize and characterize a new calcium aluminate powder using chicken eggshell waste as an alternative source of calcium carbonate through mechanical activation and subsequent calcination. The starting formulation consisting of the eggshell waste (CaCO3):Al2O3 (1:1) ratio was subjected to a high-energy milling process for 0 h, 15 h and 30 h and subsequent calcination at 1200 °C for 4 h. The resulting calcium aluminate powders have been investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and photoluminescence techniques. After calcination, a calcium aluminate-based composite powder with an average crystallite size between 46.45 nm and 52.27 nm and a predominance of the CaAl2O4 phase was found. The calcium aluminate powders produced (milled for 15 h and 30 h and calcined at 1200 °C) showed a luminescent behavior, emitting characteristic violet light with a wavelength between 380 and 418 nm. Our findings may provide a novel technical pathway for recycling chicken eggshell waste into calcium aluminate powder with luminescent properties.

Source: Powders

DOI: 10.3390/powders4040031

Authors: Fernanda Santos Maia Luna, Andrey Escala Alves, José Nilson França Holanda

Institution: State University of Norte Fluminense

Language: English

Topic: Recycling and utilization of industrial and municipal waste in materials production

Subfield: Building and Construction

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,207