Recrystallization of Triple Superphosphate Produced from Oyster Shell Waste for Agronomic Performance and Environmental Issues

Somkiat Seesanong,Banjong Boonchom,Nongnuch Laohavisuti,Chaowared Seangarun,Chuchai Sronsri,Wimonmat Boonmee,Kittichai Chaiseeda

doi:10.3390/min12020254

Abstract

Calcium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate (Ca(H2PO4)2·H2O) (a fertilizer) was successfully synthesized through a recrystallization process using prepared triple superphosphate (TSP) derived from oyster shell waste as the starting material. This bio-green, eco-friendly process to produce an important fertilizer can promote a sustainable society. The shell-waste-derived TSP was dissolved in distilled water and kept at 30, 50, and 80 °C. Non-soluble powder and TSP solution were obtained. The TSP solution fractions were then dried, and the recrystallized products (RCP30, RCP50, and RCP80) were obtained and confirmed as Ca(H2PO4)2·H2O. Conversely, the non-soluble products (NSP30, NSP50, and NSP80) were observed as calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate (CaHPO4·2H2O). The recrystallized yields of RCP30, RCP50, and RCP80 were found to be 51.0%, 49.6%, and 46.3%, whereas the soluble percentages were 98.72%, 99.16%, and 96.63%, respectively. RCP30 shows different morphological plate sizes, while RCP50 and RCP80 present the coagulate crystal plates. X-ray diffractograms confirmed the formation of both the NSP and RCP. The infrared adsorption spectra confirmed the vibrational characteristics of HPO42−, H2PO4−, and H2O existed in CaHPO4·2H2O and Ca(H2PO4)2·H2O. Three thermal dehydration steps of Ca(H2PO4)2·H2O (physisorbed water, polycondensation, and re-polycondensation) were observed. Ca(H2PO4)2 and CaH2P2O7 are the thermodecomposed products from the first and second steps, whereas the final product is CaP2O6.

Highlights

Calcium-phosphate-based materials, i.e., tetracalcium phosphate (Ca4(PO4)2O), tricalcium phosphate (Ca3PO4), calcium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate (Ca(H2PO4)2·H2O) or monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM), calcium hydrogen phosphate (CaHPO4 or monetite), calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate (CaHPO4·2H2O) or brushite), octacalcium dihydrogen phosphate pentahydrate (Ca8H2(PO4)6·5H2O), and decacalcium hydroxide phosphate (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 or hydroxyapatite) have been thoroughly investigated [1,2] because they are stable, biocompatible, and similar to natural teeth and bone
Using 10 g of shell-derived triple superphosphate (TSP), 5.10, 4.96, and 4.63 g of recrystallized Ca(H2PO4)2·H2O products were obtained for RCP30, RCP50, and RCP80, respectively
The obtained masses of the products indicated that the yields of the product obtained from the recrystallization process (Table 1) decreased as the temperature used to dissolve the TSP increased, and the product obtained from the dissolved temperature of 30 ◦C showed the highest recrystallized yield (51.0%)

Summary

Introduction

Calcium-phosphate-based materials, i.e., tetracalcium phosphate (Ca4(PO4)2O), tricalcium phosphate (Ca3PO4), calcium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate (Ca(H2PO4)2·H2O) or monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM), calcium hydrogen phosphate (CaHPO4 or monetite), calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate (CaHPO4·2H2O) or brushite), octacalcium dihydrogen phosphate pentahydrate (Ca8H2(PO4)6·5H2O), and decacalcium hydroxide phosphate (Ca10(PO4)6(OH) or hydroxyapatite) have been thoroughly investigated [1,2] because they are stable, biocompatible, and similar to natural teeth and bone. TSP fertilizer in the form of Ca(H2PO4)2·H2O (or MCPM) provides a high concentration of phosphorus (P) (more than 40% of diphosphorus pentoxide, P2O5). It was widely used in the 20th century and became the most common phosphorus source used in many countries until the mid-1970s for plant development [4]. Ca(H2PO4)2·H2O is dissolved, leading to the release of phosphorus fertilizer into the soil, followed by the uptake of plants for growth and development

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