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. 2023 Oct 5;13(1):16783.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-42905-5.

Room temperature bio-engineered multifunctional carbonates for CO2 sequestration and valorization

H Mohamed  1   2   3 , K Hkiri  1   2 , N Botha  1   2 , K Cloete  1   2 , Sh Azizi  1   2 , A A Q Ahmed  1   2 , R Morad  1   2 , Th Motlamane  1   2 , A Krief  1   2   4 , A Gibaud  1   2   5 , M Henini  1   2   6 , M Chaker  1   2   7 , I Ahmad  1   2   8 , M Maaza  9   10
Affiliations

Room temperature bio-engineered multifunctional carbonates for CO2 sequestration and valorization

H Mohamed et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

This contribution reports, for the first time, on an entirely green bio-engineering approach for the biosynthesis of single phase crystalline 1-D nano-scaled calcite CaCO3. This was validated using H2O as the universal solvent and natural extract of Hyphaene thebaica fruit as an effective chelating agent. In this room temperature green process, CaCl2 and CO2 are used as the unique source of Ca and CO3 respectively in view of forming nano-scaled CaCO3 with a significant shape anisotropy and an elevated surface to volume ratio. In terms of novelty, and relatively to the reported scientific and patented literature in relation to the fabrication of CaCO3 by green nano-chemistry, the current cost effective room temperature green process can be singled out as per the following specificities: only water as universal solvent is used, No additional base or acid chemicals for pH control, No additional catalyst, No critical or supercritical CO2 usage conditions, Only natural extract of thebaica as a green effective chelating agent through its phytochemicals and proper enzematic compounds, room Temperature processing, atmospheric pressure processing, Nanoscaled size particles, and Nanoparticles with a significant shape anisotropy (1-D like nanoparticles). Beyond and in addition to the validation of the 1-D synthesis aspect, the bio-engineered CaCO3 exhibited a wide-ranging functionalities in terms of highly reflecting pigment, an effective nanofertilizer as well as a potential binder in cement industry.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Typical high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) of the bio-engineered CaCO3.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Typical scanning electron spectroscopy (EDS) profile of the bio-engineered nano-scaled CaCO3.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(a) Thermo gravimetry analysis (TGA) of the bio-engineered nano-scale CaCO3 within the thermal range of 25–850 °C, (b) the corresponding differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) profile within the thermal range of 25–900 °C.
Figure 4
Figure 4
(a) Room temperature Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy spectrum of the bio-engineered nano-scale CaCO3 within the spectral range of 400–4500 cm−1, (b) zoom on the spectral region of 400–1000 cm−1 reporting the characteristic Raman active modes of Calcite CaCO3 at 288 cm−1 (LCalcite) and 161 cm−1 (TCalcite).
Figure 5
Figure 5
(a) Room temperature Raman spectrum of the bio-engineered CaCO3 nanoparticles within the range of 0–1200 cm−1, (b) zoom on the spectral region of 100–370 cm−1 reporting the Ca-O characteristic vibrational mode of Calcite CaCO3.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Room temperature photoluminescence of the bio-synthesized nanoscaled CaCO3 as well as the intermediary product of Ca(OH)2 as well as the initial precursor CaCl2.
Figure 7
Figure 7
The Θ–2Θ X-rays diffraction spectra within the angular range of (a) 20°–50° and (b) 55°–85°, (c) full XRD profile with the MAUD simulation and (d) proposed calcite crystallographic structure of the bio-engineered CaCO3 1-D nanoparticles.
Figure 8
Figure 8
(a) Standard diffuse reflectance spectrum under normal incidence of the bio-engineered CaCO3 1-D nanoparticles within the spectral range of 200–1000 nm, (b) the corresponding zoom on the UV-Bleu spectral region of 200–345 nm.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Evolution versus the bio-engineered CaCO3 1-D nanoparticles. Nutrient concentration of (a) the average of plant’s height, (b) the average number of leaves and (c) the average days to flowering relatively to the control sample.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Multi-scale porosity in the bio-engineered CaCO3 1-D nanoparticles.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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