Rapid synthesis of monocalcium phosphate using calcium carbonate extracted from green mussel shells and phosphoric acid solution

Abstract

Ca-source of green mussel shells (Perna-Viridis) recovered into precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) powders via a calcination-dissolution-precipitation pathway is a prospective feedstock for the rapid synthesis of monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM). In the study, a potential aqueous crystallization process was implemented for MCPM synthesis by blending PCC powders with vaterite (55.20 wt %) and calcite (44.80 wt%) in strongly phosphoric acid with a molarity of 85% (w/w) and varying amounts of water (2–6 mL), followed by rapid evaporation and drying. The resulting product contained at least 90 wt % MCPM and minor monetite according to XRD and FTIR analyses. The morphology of the MCPM product is a prismatic-like shape with grain sizes ranging from 3 to 9 μm, as observed using SEM techniques. DTA/DTG/TG analysis confirms the stability of MCPM products at temperatures up to 100 °C providing benefits for food industries and communities as a stable food additive commodity.