Biogenic Synthesis of Calcium-Based Powders from Marine Mollusk Shells: Comparative Characterization and...

Marine mollusk shells are a promising renewable source of calcium-based materials, offering a sustainable alternative for their synthesis. In this study, five types of marine shells-Chamelea gallina, Mya arenaria, Rapana venosa, Mytilus edulis, and Pecten maximus-were calcined at 900 °C for 2 h. The resulting powders were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, PSD, and zeta potential analyses. XRD confirmed the dominant presence of CaO, with residual calcite and portlandite. FTIR spectra supported these findings, indicating the decomposition of carbonate phases and the formation of Ca-O bonds. SEM imaging revealed species-specific microstructures ranging from lamellar and wrinkled textures to compact aggregates, while particle size distributions varied from 15 to 37 μm. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed a two-step decomposition process for all samples, with significant species-dependent differences in mass loss and conversion efficiency, highlighting the influence of biogenic origin on the thermal stability and CaO yield of the resulting powders. Zeta potential measurements showed low colloidal stability, with the best performance found in Rapana venosa and Pecten maximus calcinated samples. Antibacterial activity was evaluated using a direct contact method against Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis. All samples exhibited complete inactivation of E. coli, regardless of exposure time, while E. faecalis required prolonged contact (3.3 h) for full inhibition. The results highlight the potential of biogenic CaCO₃ and CaO powders as functional, antimicrobial materials suitable for environmental and biomedical applications. This study underscores the viability of marine shell waste valorization within a circular economy framework.