Biomass-derived thermal preparation of calcite, from phyto-capped marine gastropod shell, Turbinella pyrum L

Abstract

Preparation of Calcite, by biomass-derived incineration of phyto-capped, marine gastropod shell Turbinella pyrum L is described. Turbinella pyrum shell is mechanically hard, characterized as Aragonite, was phyto-capped and incinerated to prepare Calcite powder, of nano-micro sizes. The role of phyto-constituents in the phyto-capping, is attributed to the increase in the internal pressure, perceived by release of intercalated organic moieties, resulting in the reduction of particle size in comparison with uncapped process. The incineration process was optimized by solid state UV-DRS whereby, the absorption in the region 400–700 nm was considered for process optimization, which may be attributed to the strong π to π* ligand transitions of chlorophyll. The gastropod shell of marine origin was purified in high alkaline medium, to remove/reduce the associated trace impurities present in the complex marine environment, such as barium, aluminium and magnesium into their respective carbonate salts, and was quantified by ICP-OES. FT-IR, FT-Raman and PXRD techniques were used for characterization. SEM revealed agglomerated non-uniform nano and micro particles. Calcite, is known as ‘Sangu Parpam’, in the traditional Siddha system of medicines used in India and is one of the classical formulations used to treat arthritis, gastritis, skin diseases.