Synthesis and characterisation of CaO nanoparticle from oyster shell using sol-gel method

Abstract

Because human activity is constantly increasing the content of heavy metals, heavy metal removal becomes a major challenge in wastewater treatment. In an attempt to provide an innovative and sustainable option for addressing the said challenge, this study is aimed at the synthesis and characterization of nano-based CaO biosorbent from oyster shell. The sol- gel method was used to synthesize the biosorbent, characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM and BET respectively.  From the analysis conducted, the developed CaO nanoadsorbent has a point of zero charge of 5.6, indicating stable charge balance. The biosorbent was chemically characterized by the presence of a number of functional groups, most notably the –OH and C-H. The CaO nanoadsorbent was found to be crystalline in nature as revealed by XRD analysis. Findings from the BET indicated the material has a surface area of 344.528 m²/g, specific pore volume of 0.170cc/g and pore diameter of 2.118nm, indicating that it is mesoporous structurally. The results of the characterization reveal that the CaO nanoadsorbent present a suitable option for treatment of wastewater based on its associated attributes.