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NANOSYSTEMS: PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY, MATHEMATICS, 2016, 7 (4), P. 724–727

Cashew nut shells as source of chemicals for preparation of chalcogenide nanoparticles

E. B. Mubofu – Chemistry Department, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35061, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; ebmubofu@gmail.com; ebmubofu@udsm.ac.tz
S. Mlowe – Chemistry Department, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35061, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Chemistry Department, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa, 3886, South Africa; sixb2809@gmail.com
N. Revaprasadu – Chemistry Department, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa, 3886, South Africa; RevaprasaduN@unizulu.ac.za

Cashew nut shell wastes produced in cashew nut processing factories cause environmental problems. Currently, these wastes are being converted to a variety of bio-based chemicals and functional materials. Cashew nut shells (CNS) produce cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), a dark reddish brown viscous liquid (ca. 30 – 35 wt. %) which is extracted from the soft honeycomb of the CNS. CNSL offers multitude interesting possibilities for the synthesis of speciality chemicals, high value products and polymers due to their functionalities. Our recent research have demonstrated that CNSL constituents can be transformed into diverse functional chemicals. This contribution will report on how cashew nut shells (an agro waste from cashew nut processing factories) have been employed to produce anacardic acid capped chalcogenide nanoparticles.

Keywords: anacardic acid, cashew nut shell liquid, chalcogenide, nanoparticles.

PACS 81.07.-b

DOI 10.17586/2220-8054-2016-7-4-724-727

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