Using Phosphogypsum as a Source of Calcium Sulfate When Synthesizing Calcium Molybdate Nanoparticles
Youssef Belaoufi,
Meryem Bensemlali,
Badreddine Hatimi,
Halima Mortadi,
Najoua Labjar,
Jean-Michel Nunzi,
Mohammed El Idrissi,
Abdellatif Aarfane,
Mina Bakasse,
Hamid Nasrellah
Affiliations
Youssef Belaoufi
Laboratory of Organic, Bio-Organic, and Environmental Chemistry, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida 24000, Morocco
Meryem Bensemlali
Laboratory of Organic, Bio-Organic, and Environmental Chemistry, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida 24000, Morocco
Badreddine Hatimi
Laboratory of Organic, Bio-Organic, and Environmental Chemistry, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida 24000, Morocco
Halima Mortadi
Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Materials, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida 24000, Morocco
Najoua Labjar
Laboratory of Spectroscopy, Molecular Modelling, Materials, Nanomaterials, Water and Environment, High National School of Arts and Crafts (ENSAM), Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat 10106, Morocco
Jean-Michel Nunzi
Department of Physics, Engineering Physics & Astronomy, Queens University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
Mohammed El Idrissi
Team of Chemical Processes and Applied Materials, Faculty Polydisciplinary Sultan Moulay Slimane, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni-Mellal 23000, Morocco
Abdellatif Aarfane
Laboratory of Organic, Bio-Organic, and Environmental Chemistry, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida 24000, Morocco
Mina Bakasse
Laboratory of Organic, Bio-Organic, and Environmental Chemistry, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida 24000, Morocco
Hamid Nasrellah
Laboratory of Organic, Bio-Organic, and Environmental Chemistry, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida 24000, Morocco
Calcium molybdate (CaMoO4) is of significant interest due to its unique properties and numerous industrial applications, such as catalysis, electrochemistry, and optoelectronics. In this study, we developed an economical and environmentally friendly method to synthesize calcium molybdate from Moroccan phosphogypsum (PG) industrial waste and sodium molybdate, all at room temperature. Comprehensive analysis through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman vibrational spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the high purity of the synthesized calcium molybdate, with particle sizes of only 12 nm. Additionally, optical characteristics were studied using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), which showed an optical band gap of Egap = 3.96 eV for CaMoO4. These results confirm the successful synthesis of calcium molybdate nanoparticles from Moroccan phosphogypsum, demonstrating an effective pathway to valorize this industrial waste into a valuable material. This approach contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing dependence on rare chemicals while offering innovative solutions for the industry’s sustainable development.
