Room temperature bio-engineered multifunctional carbonates for CO(2) sequestration and valorization

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 CaCO(3). This was validated using H(2)O as the universal solvent and natural extract of Hyphaene thebaica fruit as an effective chelating agent. In this room temperature green process, CaCl(2) and CO(2) are used as the unique source of Ca and CO(3) respectively in view of forming nano-scaled CaCO(3) 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 CaCO(3) 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 CO(2) 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 CaCO(3) exhibited a wide-ranging functionalities in terms of highly reflecting pigment, an effective nanofertilizer as well as a potential binder in cement industry.