Hard to Soft: Biogenic Absorbent Sponge-like Material from Waste Mussel Shells

Abstract

Summary Mussel shells are a source of renewable CaCO3 and can be obtained from aquaculture waste streams. Valorization of waste shells relieves strain on landfills and aligns with the goals of a circular economy. Here, we present the preparation of an absorbent CaCO3 material, soft calcite (SC), prepared from waste blue mussel shells under mild conditions. Calcite is the only polymorph present in SC, despite the presence of aragonite in the shell. SC has a nest-like morphology, unlike the highly ordered calcite in the shell. SC is formed by the reassembly of calcite prisms and may be held together by the organic matrix “glue” from the original shell as evidenced by NMR spectroscopy. This inorganic sponge adsorbs dyes from aqueous solution and absorbs crude oil from seawater with good recyclability. Our results demonstrate how a natural structure can be modified in a sustainable fashion to yield a higher-value material.