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

Calcium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate (Ca(H2PO4)2H2O) (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)2H2O. Conversely, the non-soluble
products (NSP30, NSP50, and NSP80) were observed as calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate
(CaHPO42H2O). 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 HPO4
2􀀀, H2PO4
􀀀, and H2O existed
in CaHPO42H2O and Ca(H2PO4)2H2O. Three thermal dehydration steps of Ca(H2PO4)2H2O
(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.