Processing of Eggshell Biomaterial by Electrical Discharge Assisted Mechanical Milling (EDAMM) and High Energy Milling (HEM) Techniques

In this study, hen eggshell (ES) biomaterial was treated by two mechanochemical methods. Here we show that using of low-current high-voltage electrical impulses during electrical discharge assisted mechanical milling (EDAMM) or high-energy milling (HEM) are proper tools for ES transformation to materials suitable for the further applications. The decomposition of calcite CaCO 3 (the main component of ES) into lime CaO (EDAMM treatment) or calcite-aragonite transformation (HEM treatment) were documented by X-ray diffractometry. The applied techniques bring about solid state transformation, high degree of calcite amorphization, and enhancement of specific surface area of ES samples. As examples of using the transformed ES the uptake of cadmium ions during sorption experiments and the dechlorination of polyvinyl chloride are given. In both cases, the technologically accepted recoveries and kinetics have been obtained.