SYNTHESIS OF CALCIUM OXIDE UTILIZING CHICKEN EGGSHELL WASTE VIA A FOAM-FREE APPROACH

Abstract

Chicken eggshells are an abundant, inexpensive, and potentially significant raw material source that can be transformed into calcium oxide nanoparticles. Various methods can be employed for the synthesis of calcium oxide nanoparticles, but the sol-gel method offers numerous advantages, including cost-effectiveness and the utilization of relatively low-temperature conditions under ambient pressure. The objective of this research is to utilize chicken eggshell waste as a source for CaO nanoparticles. In this study, CaO nanoparticles were successfully produced from chicken eggshell waste using the sol-gel method with a foam-free approach. The eggshell powder was dissolved in an HCl solution to form a CaCl₂ sol, and the resulting foam was then separated and not used. NaOH solution was added dropwise to the CaCl₂ sol to form a Ca(OH)₂ precursor gel, which was then subjected to thermogravimetric analysis. The Ca(OH)₂ precursor was calcined at 900°C for 1 hour to form the CaO nanoparticle product. The product was then characterized using Infrared spectrum, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) instrumentation. The characterization analysis results confirmed the formation of CaO nanoparticles. This finding suggests that the synthesis of CaO nanoparticles from chicken eggshell waste using a foam-free approach can be a viable method, as it can minimize the formation of contaminant crystals, enabling development for various applications.