Sustainable preparation of Ixora flower-like shaped luminescent powder by recycling crab shell biowaste

Abstract We report on cost-effective recycling of crab shell biowaste and synthesis of luminescent powders. XRD, thermogravimetric and, FTIR analysis revealed that calcination temperature must be beyond ∼800 °C to recycle biowastes crab (Ucides cordatus) shell into crystalline powder composed of CaO, and a small amount of CaCO3, NaCa(PO4), MgO, and Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂. SEM analysis revealed that calcination of crab shell biowaste at 800 °C/2 h produced the homogeneous cauliflower- and ixora flower-like shaped intrinsic luminescent powders. XEOL and thermoluminescence analyses suggest that F+-centers of the CaO structure are responsible for the efficient intrinsic scintillation of the crab shell powder. Therefore, our study shows a biomaterial promise derived from seafood wastes as natural dosimeter materials for industrial applications.