A team of researchers from the Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, has unveiled a sustainable innovation that turns seafood waste into a powerful carbon-reducing material. In their latest study, crab shells—rich in calcium carbonate—were thermally processed into calcium oxide (CaO) nanoparticles capable of capturing and reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from coal-fired power plants.
The study highlights that the aquaculture and crustacean industries generate over 8 million tons of shell waste annually, most of which is discarded. By converting this waste into photocatalysts, the research bridges two environmental challenges: waste management and greenhouse gas mitigation.
Using UV-driven photocatalytic processes, the crab shell-based catalysts achieved up to 74% CO₂ removal efficiency within 40–50 minutes of irradiation. The nanoparticles were characterized using FTIR, TGA, SEM, and EDX, confirming high purity, surface activity, and thermal stability up to 800 °C.
Beyond emission control, the approach supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 9 and SDG 13)—fostering innovation in green materials and addressing climate action. The research proposes a circular economy framework, where seafood waste is repurposed into high-performance photocatalysts for environmental remediation.
According to the paper, this technology could serve as a low-cost and renewable alternative to conventional carbon capture systems, paving the way for scalable solutions in industrial emission control.
Reference
Kadarkarai, R., Jeyanthi, J., & Maruthu, L. (2025). Crab shell based photocatalysts: a green solution for reducing CO2 emissions in coal-fired systems. Chemical Papers. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-025-04408-7
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