Preparation of Dodecyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Bromide-Doped Cubic CaCO<Subscript>3</Subscript> with Antibacterial Properties

CaCl₂ encapsulated was placed in the hydrothermal reactor of an aqueous solution of Na₂CO₃ and dodecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium bromide for synthesis of two samples of calcium carbonate by an improved hydrothermal method and one-pot method. Their crystal structure, morphology, chemical composition, and thermal stability of the synthesized samples of calcium carbonate were investigated by XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDS and TGDSC. The sterilization activity of the as-prepared samples was evaluated by killing of Sarcina lutea bacteria. The results indicated that the regular cube capsule-assisted calcium carbonate prepared by hydrothermal process was doped with dodecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium bromide. Under the same condition, the spindle-shaped calcium carbonate synthesized the one-pot method was not doped with dodecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium bromide. Among the samples of calcium carbonate, capsule-assisted calcium carbonate had shown better antibacterial effect for Sarcina lutea: in 48 h after its inhibition a zone diameter was 12.3 mm.     

An unusual isotopic fractionation of boron in synthetic calcium carbonate precipitated from seawater and saline water

Inorganic calcium carbonate precipitation from natural seawater and saline water at various pH values was carried out experimentally. The results show the clear positive relationships between boron concentration and δ11B of inorganic calcium carbonate with the pH of natural seawater and saline water. However, the variations of boron isotopic fractionation between inorganic calcite and seawater/saline water with pH are inconsistent with the hypothesis that B(OH)4- is the dominant spe-cies incorporated into the biogenic calcite structure. The isotopic fractionation factors α between synthetic calcium carbonate precipitate and parent solutions increase systematically as pH increases, from 0.9884 at pH 7.60 to 1.0072 at pH 8.60 for seawater and from 0.9826 at pH 7.60 to 1.0178 at pH 8.75 for saline water. An unusual boron isotopic fractionation factor of larger than 1 in synthetic calcium carbonate precipitated from seawater/saline water at higher pH is observed, which implies that a substantial amount of the isotopically heavier B(OH)3 species must be incorporated preferentially into synthetic inorganic carbonate. The results propose that the incorporation of B(OH)3 is attributed to the formation of Mg(OH)2 at higher pH of calcifying microenvironment during the synthetic calcium carbonate precipitation. The preliminary experiment of Mg(OH)2 precipitated from artificial seawater shows that heavier 11B is enriched in Mg(OH)2 precipitation, which suggests that isotopically heavier B(OH)3 species incorporated preferentially into Mg(OH)2 precipitation. This result cannot be applied to explain the boron isotopic fractionation of marine bio-carbonate because of the possibility that the unusual environment in this study appears in formation of marine bio-carbonate is infinitesimal. We, however, must pay more attention to this phenomenon observed in this study, which accidentally appears in especially natural environment.     

Pre-Eutectic Densification of Calcium Carbonate Doped with Lithium Carbonate

Pressureless sintering of CaCO₃ was carried out, with Li₂CO₃ (from 0.5 to 8 wt%) as an additive, under different pressures of CO₂. Densification occurs between 600 and 700°C. Sintering above the eutectic temperature (T>662°C) leads to the decomposition of calcium carbonate and the materials become expanded. At 620° under 1 kPa of CO₂, a relative density of 96% is reached. Li₂CO₃ enhances the densification process and grain growth of calcium carbonate. CO₂ pressure slows down densification and grain growth kinetics. These results are explained by the influence of carbonate and calcium ion vacancies on the sintering mechanisms. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Crystallization kinetics of calcium carbonate at a stoichiometric ratio of components

The formal kinetics of calcium carbonate crystallization in aqueous solutions is studied at a stoichiometric ratio of Ca²⁺ and CO₃^2- ions. The kinetics of the process was monitored by convenient and reliable methods (complexometric analysis for calcium in an aqueous solution and energy dispersive and microscopic measurement of solid particle sizes). The effect the temperature and degree of supersaturation have on the periods of induction and mass crystallization and the equilibrium concentration of calcium ions in solution is estimated at continuously controlled pH and solution ionic strength. The kinetic parameters (n, k, τ_1/2, E_a) of calcium carbonate crystallization are calculated. It is shown that calcium carbonate with a calcite structure formed at a stoichiometric ratio of reagents, and changes in the temperature (25–45°C) and the solution’s degree of supersaturation (2–6) within the considered range had no effect on the characteristics of the solid phase.     

Investigation on the stability,electronic, optical,and mechanical properties of novel calcium carbonate hydrates via first-principles calculations

Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) is an inorganic compound which is widely used in industry, chemistry, construction, ocean acidification, and biomineralization due to its rich constituent on earth and excellent performance, in which calcium carbonate hydrates are important systems. In Zou et al's work (Science, 2019, 363, 396-400), they found a novel calcium carbonate hemihydrate phase, but the structural stability, optical, and mechanical properties have not been studied. In this work, the stability, electronic, optical, and mechanical properties of novel calcium carbonate hydrates were investigated by using the first-principles calculations using density functional theory. CaCO₃·xH₂O (x = 1/2, 1 and 6) are determined dynamically stable phases by phonon spectrum, but the Gibbs energy of reaction of CaCO₃·1/2H₂O is higher than other calcium carbonate hydrates. That is why CaCO₃·1/2H₂O is hard to synthesize in the experiments. In addition, the optical and mechanical properties of CaCO₃·xH₂O (x = 1/2, 1 and 6) are expounded in detail. It shows that the CaCO₃·1/2H₂O has the largest bulk modulus, shear modulus, and Young's modulus with the values 60.51 GPa, 36.56 GPa, and 91.28 GPa. This work will provide guidance for experiments and its applications, such as biomineralization, geology, and industrial processes.     

Fabrication of Tubular Structure Agglomerates of Calcium Carbonate by Using Collodion Film

A novel and simple method for preparing tubular structure agglomerates of calcium carbonate (CC-tube) is described. Calcium chloride and sodium carbonate aqueous solutions were used as reactants separated by a collodion film (a nitrocellulose material) in aqueous solution. The effects of the concentrations of calcium chloride and sodium carbonate aqueous solutions on the morphology and phase structure of the as-obtained samples were investigated. The CC-tube growth was prevented with the increase of reactant concentration from 0.5 to 1.0 mol•L－1. Compared with Na2CO3 aqueous solution, it is favourable to grow calcite crystals in CaCl2 aqueous solution. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron- microscopy.     

A thermoanalytical study of the interaction of vanadiumoxide(V) with calcium oxide and calcium carbonate

The interaction of V₂O₅ with calcium oxide and calcium carbonate was studied by thermal analysis. The results indicated that the macrosuccession of the phase transformations in the systems CaO-V₂O₅ and CaCO₃-V₂O₅ corresponds to an increasing calcium content in each successively formed calcium vanadate. Thermodynamical calculations carried out by methods available in the literature for determining the primary products and the succession of the subsequently formed products demonstrate that chemical reactions proceeding in the above systems are controlled by kinetic and not by thermodynamic factors.     

Calcium Carbonate@silica Composite with Superhydrophobic Properties

In this paper, spherical calcium carbonate particles were prepared by using CaCl₂ aqueous solution + NH₃·H₂O + polyoxyethylene octyl phenol ether-10 (OP-10) + n-butyl alcohol + cyclohexane inverse micro emulsion system. Then, nanoscale spherical silica was deposited on the surface of micron calcium carbonate by Stöber method to form the composite material. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the morphology and structure of the composite material. It is found that the surface of the composite material has a micro-nano complex structure similar to the surface of a “lotus leaf”, making the composite material show hydrophobicity. The contact angle of the cubic calcium carbonate, spherical calcium carbonate and CaCO₃@SiO₂ composite material were measured. They were 51.6°, 73.5°, and 76.8°, respectively. After modification with stearic acid, the contact angle of cubic and spherical CaCO₃ were 127.1° and 136.1°, respectively, while the contact angle of CaCO₃@SiO₂ composite was 151.3°. These results showed that CaCO₃@SiO₂ composite had good superhydrophobicity, and the influence of material roughness on its hydrophobicity was investigated using the Cassie model theory.     

Fluoroalkyl end‐capped oligomers possessing nonflammable characteristic in calcium carbonate nanocomposites

Calcium chloride reacted with sodium carbonate in the presence of a variety of fluoroalkyl end‐capped oligomers such as fluoroalkyl end‐capped acrylic acid oligomer (R_F‐[ACA]_n‐R_F), 2‐methacryloyloxyethanesulfonic acid oligomer (R_F‐[MES]_n‐R_F), N,N‐dimethylacrylamide oligomer (R_F‐[DMAA]_n‐R_F) and acryloylmorpholine oligomer (R_F‐[ACMO]_n‐R_F) to afford the corresponding fluorinated oligomers/calcium carbonate composites. Each fluorinated oligomer/calcium carbonate composite thus obtained is nanometer size‐controlled very fine particles (25–114 nm) possessing a good dispersibility and stability in a variety of solvents including water. Thermal stability of these fluorinated calcium carbonate nanocomposites was studied by thermogravimetic analyses measurements. Fluorinated oligomes, in which the theoretical oligomer content in the composites is 19%, were able to give no weight loss corresponding to the content of oligomer in each case even after calcination at 800 °C. On the other hand, a slight weight loss corresponding to the contents of oligomers in the composites after calcination at 800 °C was observed in R_F‐(MES)_n‐R_F/, R_F‐(DMAA)_n‐R_F/ and R_F‐(ACMO)_n‐R_F/calcium carbonate nanocomposites, in which the theoretical contents of the oligomers were 36–53%, although R_F‐(ACA)_n‐R_F/calcium carbonate nanocomposites gave a clear weight loss corresponding to the contents of oligomer under similar conditions. Fluorinated oligomers/calcium carbonate nanocomposites possessing no weight loss at 800 °C were applied to the surface modification of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) to exhibit a good oleophobicity imparted by fluorines on the surfaces. Interestingly, these fluorinated calcium carbonate nanocomposites after calcination at 800 °C were found to exhibit the similar oleophobic characteristic on the modified PMMA surfaces as well as that of the nanocomposites before calcination. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermal analysis of monument patina containing hydrated calcium oxalates

This work describes the thermal transformation of patina samples formed on the surface of dolomitic rocks used to build the Romanesque Torme's Church (Burgos, Spain). Analyses were performed using a combination of high-temperature XRD, simultaneous TG/DTA and gas mass spectrometry. The XRD analysis revealed the presence of hydrated calcium oxalates. The following three steps were proposed for the thermal transformation of the raw material: dehydration of weddellite/whewellite to form calcium oxalate, transformation of calcium oxalate to calcium carbonate, and formation of calcium oxide produced via decomposition of the calcite. DTA/TG and mass spectrometry analyses confirmed this mechanism. In addition, a high proportion of organic compounds was detected and was possibly formed via degradation of products applied for the building's conservation by the action of microorganisms attack. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed CO (and CO₂) gas evolved during the transformation of CaC₂O₄ to CaCO₃. The CO₂ gas also appears at 765 °C due to the decomposition of calcium carbonate, and it appears over a large range of temperatures due to the decomposition of organic compounds. The TG analyses performed in a CO₂ atmosphere were used to determine the percentages of Ca and Mg contained in dolomite, and the calcium carbonate formed by oxalate decomposition. DRIFTS and mass spectrometry results revealed the presence of several aliphatic and/or aromatic compounds containing CO groups.     

A biological process for the reclamation of flue gas desulfurization gypsum using mixed sulfate-reducing bacteria with inexpensive carbon sources

A combined chemical and biological process for the recycling of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum into calcium carbonate and elemental sulfur is demonstrated. In this process, a mixed culture of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) utilizes inexpensive carbon sources, such as sewage digest or synthesis gas, to reduce FGD gypsum to hydrogen sulfide. The sulfide is then oxidized to elemental sulfur via reaction with ferric sulfate, and accumulating calcium ions are precipitated as calcium carbonate using carbon dioxide. Employing anaerobically digested municipal sewage sludge (AD-MSS) medium as a carbon source, SRBs in serum bottles demonstrated an FGD gypsum reduction rate of 8 mg/L/h (10⁹ cells)^-1. A chemostat with continuous addition of both AD-MSS media and gypsum exhibited sulfate reduction rates as high as 1.3 kg FGD gypsum/m³d. The increased biocatalyst density afforded by cell immobilization in a columnar reactor allowed a productivity of 152 mg SO₄ ^-2/Lh or 6.6 kg FGD gypsum/m³d. Both reactors demonstrated 100% conversion of sulfate, with 75–100% recovery of elemental sulfur and chemical oxygen demand utilization as high as 70%. Calcium carbonate was recovered from the reactor effluent on precipitation using carbon dioxide. It was demonstrated that SRBs may also use synthesis gas (CO, H₂, and CO₂ in the reduction of gypsum, further decreasing process costs. The formation of two marketable products—elemental sulfur and calcium carbonate—from FGD gypsum sludge, combined with the use of a low-cost carbon source and further improvements in reactor design, promises to offer an attractive alternative to the landfilling of FGD gypsum.

     

Grafting polypropylene and treatment of calcium carbonate to improve structure and properties of polypropylene composites

In this paper, calcium carbonate was chemically treated with two kinds of dicarboxylic acids before compounding with polypropylene in the presence of dicumyl peroxide (DCP). It was observed that the mixture of dicarboxylic acids could improve the crystallization and impact strength properties of calcium carbonate/polypropylene composite. With further addition of DCP, more PP-g-MA was produced in the blend, resulting in PP composites with larger β-phase content and improved mechanical properties. In the experiments, the maximum K _β value of 52.0 % was obtained. The elongation at break of composite increased from 252 % for PP composite with untreated calcium carbonate to 444 % for PP composite with chemically treated calcium carbonate.     

The use of thermal analysis in the study of Ca<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript> formation by the polymeric precursor method

Single-phase Ca₃Al₂O₆ was prepared via polymeric precursor method. The influence of the reactants nature in the Ca₃Al₂O₆ synthesis was investigated. For this purpose, citric acid and soluble salts of calcium (nitrate, chloride, carbonate) and aluminium (nitrate, chloride, acetate) were used as starting materials, in the presence and, respectively, in the absence of ethylene glycol. Ca₃Al₂O₆ resulted as single-phase after annealing at 1050 °C for 1 h only starting from calcium nitrate or carbonate and aluminium nitrate or acetate as salts precursor for Ca²⁺ and Al³⁺ cations. The formation of Ca₃Al₂O₆ is not conditioned by the ethylene glycol presence in these mixtures. Using calcium and aluminium chlorides, the phases present at 1050 °C are Ca₁₂Al₁₄O₃₃ and unreacted CaO.     

Characterization of calcium carbonates used in wet flue gas desulphurization processes

This paper presents an experimental characterization of two sources of calcium carbonate, limestone and calcium carbonate precipitate (CCP) used in wet flue gas desulphurization processes. Characterization of the two carbonate sources was carried out by chemical analysis, IR spectra, thermal behavior, particle size distribution for CCP, BET surface area and absorption capacity of SO₂ in calcium carbonate suspensions. The absorption temperature, suspension concentration and carbonate grain size were found to be the most influential parameters in the absorption capacity measurements.      

Matrix-matched quantitative analysis of trace-elements in calcium carbonate shells by laser-ablation ICP–MS: application to the determination of daily scale profiles in scallop shell (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pecten maximus</Emphasis>)

A micro-scale method has been developed for analysis of trace-element concentration profiles in the calcium carbonate shell of the Great Scallop (Pecten maximus). UV laser ablation at 266-nm coupled with ICP–MS detection was used to analyse daily calcite striae of shell samples to obtain high temporal resolution of trace element incorporation. Analysis of scallop shells was carefully examined to determine the quality of calcium carbonate ablation and calibration. An accurate external calibration method based on matrix matching was developed. Twelve sodium-free enriched calcium carbonate standards containing up to twenty-four elements were prepared, by co-precipitation with aqueous ammonia and NH₄HCO₃, and subsequently back-calibrated in the laboratory. These CaCO₃ standards were found to be homogenous and their use enabled sensitive quantitative analysis (detection limits of a few ng g⁻¹) over a wide range of concentrations (0.1 to 500 μg g⁻¹). Use of these CaCO₃ standards was also evaluated by analysis of three calcium-rich certified reference materials. Because calibration was consistent with the certified results, this analytical method is a sensitive tool for analysis of environmental calcium carbonate matrices. Repeated analysis of scallop shell samples collected simultaneously at the same location showed that the trace elements are homogeneously distributed along a stria. The reliability of such in-situ records of biogenic calcium carbonate (scallop shells) is apparent from the inter-individual and inter-annual reproducibility of the trace element profiles.     

Thermal decomposition of calcium oxalate: beyond appearances

The goal of this study is twofold: to take a fresh look at the decomposition of calcium oxalate and to warn users of thermogravimetric analysis against the hasty interpretation of results obtained. Since the pioneer work of Duval 70 years ago, the scientific community has agreed unanimously as to the decomposition of anhydrous calcium oxalate (CaC₂O₄) into calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and CO gas, and that of the calcium carbonate into calcium oxide (CaO), and CO₂ gas. We will demonstrate how these reactions, simple in appearance, in fact result from a succession of reactive phenomena involving numerous constituents both solid (CaCO₃, free carbon) and gaseous (CO₂ and CO) produced by intermediary reactions. The mass losses evaluated in the two distinct domains correspond closely to the molar masses of CO and CO₂, respectively. The simple mathematical calculation of that mass loss has simply concealed the existence of other reactions, and, most particularly the Boudouard reaction and that of solid phases between CaCO₃ and C. It just goes to show that appearances can be deceiving.

     

The structure and solubility of carbonated hydroxyl and chloro lead apatites

The properties of carbonated hydroxyl and chloro lead apatites, Pb₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂ and Pb₁₀(PO₄)₆Cl₂, serve as models for the incorporation of carbonate into their medically important calcium analogs, and there is likely incorporation of carbonate in an insoluble lead phosphate phase during lead remediation. We have synthesized a series of carbonated lead hydroxyl- and lead chloro-apatites at 60–80 °C. The incorporation of carbonate into the apatite structure was documented by X-ray powder diffraction, IR and Raman spectroscopy, ²⁰⁷Pb solid state NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The carbonate content was determined by combustion analysis and confirmed by Raman spectroscopic analysis. As carbonate content increases in hydroxyl lead apatite, Raman spectra show changes in the phosphate stretching modes at 925 and 950 cm⁻¹, an increase in intensity and downshift of a new peak at 1050 cm⁻¹, and changes in the spectral features of the O–H stretch at about 3560 cm⁻¹. The variation in unit cell parameters for the chloro lead apatite as a function of carbonate content is similar to that documented for B-type substitution in calcium apatites. The ²⁰⁷Pb NMR spectra corroborate B-type substitution. For the hydroxyl lead apatite, the changes in cell parameters suggest a combination of A- and B-type substitution. Solubilities of the carbonated lead apatites, determined by ICP-MS, increase slightly at low to moderate carbonate content, but more strongly at ca. 5.0 wt.% carbonate content. K_sp values extrapolated to zero carbonate content reveal that the chloro lead apatite is indeed less soluble than the hydroxyl analog.     

Rare earth‐doped calcium‐based magnetic catalysts for transesterification of glycerol to glycerol carbonate

Several rare earth‐doped, calcium‐based magnetic catalysts were prepared for the synthesis of glycerol carbonate. The basicity and basic strength analysis of the catalysts showed that the doping of rare earth improved the basicity of the catalysts, and the doping of lanthanum maximized it. In addition, with the doping of lanthanum, the particle size of the catalyst became smaller to promote the organic reactants near the active sites of catalysts, thereby effectively improving the performance. NiFe₂O₄@[CaO‐La₂O₃] shows better catalytic performance with 99.0% yield of glycerol carbonate compared to the other catalysts. The NiFe₂O₄@(CaO‐La₂O₃) could be reused in six cycles without significant loss in activity.     

Thermal analysis and microstructure of Portland cement-fly ash-silica fume pastes

Thermal analysis (thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis) was used with scanning electron microscopy technique to investigate the hydration mechanisms and the microstructure of Portland cement-Fly ash-silica fume mixes. Calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H), ettringite, gehlenite hydrate (C₂ASH₈), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) phases were detected in all mixes. In the mixes with the use of silica fume addition, there is a decrease in Ca(OH)₂ with increasing silica fume content at 5 and 10% compared to that of the reference Portland-fly ash cement paste and a corresponding increase in calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H).     

Effect of different inorganic filler over isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization of polypropylene homopolymer

In this study, the effect of several inorganic fillers: silicon oxide (SiO₂), nanoclay (C20A), alumina (Al₂O₃), and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) on the crystallization behavior of polypropylene were analyzed for composites with fixed filler content (5 mass%) prepared by intensive mixing following by compression molding. In addition, for calcium carbonate, which produces the highest increase on toughness, PP grafted with maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) was added to enhance the compatibility. In that case, different content of particles was used (from 5 to 20 mass%) and the synergic effect of both incorporations was demonstrated. For this purpose, isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization tests were carried out in the bulk (by differential scanning calorimetry). In addition, the spherulitic growth was studied (by optical microscopy). Different models were used to predict the relative degree of crystallinity and several parameters were analyzed. All results indicate that whereas alumina and calcium carbonate acted as nucleating agents, silica and nanoclay displayed an opposite behavior. The full models that take into account the different parameters during cooling under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions were used to construct continuous cooling transformation and time temperature transformation diagrams. Both kind of diagrams provide a fundamental tool to understand the crystallization behavior of studied composites and are useful to determine the processing conditions.