Electrospun calcium pyrophosphate nanowires from Galatea paradoxa shells via a sol–gel route for sustainable functional materials

Calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) is a promising ceramic for biomedical, catalytic, and environmental applications, yet scalable fabrication of one-dimensional CPP nanostructures remains underexplored. Here, we report a novel, sustainable synthesis route integrating sol–gel processing and electrospinning, using Galatea paradoxa clamshells as a renewable biogenic calcium source. This combined strategy represents one of the first demonstrations of producing 1D CPP nanowires from natural shell waste, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly pathway distinct from conventional synthetic precursors. The process yields CPP nanowires with diameters ranging from 92 to 500 nm after calcination at 600 °C, whereas higher temperatures (700 °C) lead to structural coarsening and phase changes. The nanostructures were characterised by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). XRD and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) confirmed the β-Ca₂P₂O₇ phase, in agreement with FTIR signatures. This work establishes a scalable and green route to 1D CPP nanomaterials, advancing sustainable nanomaterial fabrication for bone regeneration, heavy metal adsorption, and semiconductor-based catalysis. • Sustainable CPP nanowires synthesised from Galatea paradoxa shells. • Sol-gel-assisted electrospinning used to produce 1D nanostructures. • β-Ca₂P₂O₇ phase confirmed by XRD, FTIR, SAED, and TEM analysis. • Thermal treatment at 600 °C yielded uniform nanowires (92–500 nm). • Nanowires show potential for bone regeneration and heavy metal removal.