Microwave synthesis of wollastonite powder from eggshells

Wollastonite powder was synthesized by microwave assisted solid-state reaction in a 2.45 GHz microwave furnace with a maximum power output of 2.4 kW. Bio-solid waste eggshell and SiO2 were used as starting materials for the synthesis. alpha-Wollastonite formation started at 800 degrees C. The single phase was obtained after 10 min heating at 1100 degrees C. The use of microwave heating lowered the processing temperature and time for wollastonite synthesis. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.