Heterogeneous uptake and reactivity of formic acid on calcium carbonate particles: a Knudsen cell reactor, FTIR and SEM study

The heterogeneous uptake and reactivity of formic acid (HCOOH), a common gas-phase organic acid found in the environment, on calcium carbonate (CaCO(3)) particles have been investigated using a Knudsen cell reactor, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR measurements show that the adsorption of formic acid on the surface of calcium carbonate results in the formation of calcium formate. Besides calcium formate, carbonic acid is also a reaction product under dry conditions (<1% RH). Under dry conditions and at low pressures, the initial uptake coefficient of formic acid on CaCO(3) particles is measured to be 3 +/- 1 x 10(-3) and decreases as the surface saturates with adsorbed products. The maximum surface coverage of formic acid under dry conditions is determined to be (3 +/- 1)x 10(14) molecules cm(-2). Under humidified conditions (RH >10%), adsorbed water on the surface of the carbonate particles participates in the surface reactivity of these particles, which results in the enhanced uptake kinetics and extent of reaction of this organic acid on CaCO(3) as well as opens up several new reaction pathways. These reaction pathways include: (i) the water-assisted dissociation of carbonic acid to CO(2) and H(2)O and (ii) the formation of calcium formate islands and crystallites, as evident by SEM images. The results presented here show that adsorbed water plays a potentially important role in the surface chemistry of gas-phase organic acids on calcium carbonate particles.     

Atomic force microscopy investigation of the mechanism of calcite microcrystal growth under Kitano conditions

A combined atomic force microscopy (AFM)-inverted optical microscopy technique has been used to image the surface of calcite single microcrystals, with dimensions of 10-20 microm, at high resolution. The microcrystals were grown on a glass substrate using the Kitano method, a process that involves the outgassing of carbon dioxide from a saturated solution of calcium carbonate. The resulting increase in the supersaturation of the solution, with respect to calcium carbonate, induces crystallization. It is demonstrated, for the first time, that calcite microcrystals formed in this way exhibit a single spiral growth hillock on the (104) surface, as evidenced by a spiral step pattern, indicating that growth occurs at steps arising from an individual screw dislocation. The subsequent reactivity of these crystals under Kitano conditions has been followed in situ using AFM imaging.     

Reactions of sulfur dioxide on calcium carbonate single crystal and particle surfaces at the adsorbed water carbonate interface

Sulfur dioxide reactions with calcium carbonate interfaces at 296 K in the presence and absence of adsorbed water result in the formation of adsorbed sulfite and sulfate. The extent of reaction is significantly enhanced, approximately five- to ten-fold for particulate and single crystal CaCO(3) (calcite), respectively, in the presence of adsorbed water between 30 and 85% RH. Atomic force microscopy following the reaction shows that adsorbed water facilitates surface reactivity by enhancing the mobility of surface ions, giving rise to the formation of nanometer sized product crystallites approximately 1 nm in height. Simultaneous with the formation of these crystallites is pitting and etching of the underlying substrate, which occurs preferentially in the vicinity of monoatomic surface steps. In the absence of water, there is little pitting and no evidence for the formation of crystallites. X-Ray photoelectron core and valence band spectra confirm the presence of two sulfur adsorbed species, SO and SO, with nearly equal amounts of SO and SO in the absence of adsorbed water and approximately five times more SO relative to SO in the presence of adsorbed water. From these data, it is proposed that the nanometer-sized crystallites are composed primarily of CaSO(3).     

Calcium carbonate mineralization: X-ray microdiffraction probing of the interface of an evaporating drop on a superhydrophobic surface

The liquid/air interface of calcium bicarbonate solution drops was probed by synchrotron radiation microbeam scattering. The drops were deposited on a nanopatterned superhydrophobic poly(methyl methacrylate) surface and raster-scanned during evaporation by small-angle and wide-angle X-ray scattering. The appearance of about 200-nm-size calcite crystallites at the interface could be spatially resolved at the onset of crystallization. Diffuse scattering from the interface is attributed to a dense nanoscale amorphous calcium carbonate phase. Calcite was found to be the major phase in the solid residue with vaterite as minor phase.     

Surface modification of low-density polyethylene by inductively coupled argon plasma

The surface chemistry and nanotopography of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were modified by downstream, inductively coupled, radio frequency (rf) Ar plasma without inducing surface damage. The extent of surface modification was controlled by the applied ion energy fluence, determined from the plasma ion density measured with a Langmuir probe. The treated LDPE surfaces were characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM) imaging, contact angle measurements, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Analysis of AFM surface images confirmed that topography changes occurred at the nanoscale and that surface damage was insignificant. Contact angle measurements demonstrated an enhancement of the surface hydrophilicity with the increase of the plasma power. XPS results showed surface chemistry changes involving the development of different carbon-oxygen functionalities that increased the surface hydrophilicity. Physical and chemical surface modification was achieved under conditions conducive to high-density inductively coupled rf plasma.     

Humidity-induced restructuring of the calcite surface and the effect of divalent heavy metals

The composition and topography of calcite 10114 cleavage surfaces, with and without exposure to divalent metals, have been investigated as a function of relative humidity. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to understand topographical changes on the calcite surface due to the presence of divalent metal and exposure to different humid environments. Ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS) was used to determine the composition of the near and outermost surface of the calcite after exposure to Cd and Pb and before exposure to the varying humidity conditions. In general, the extent of topographical changes observed on the calcite surface increased with the humidity level, though the initial step density of the cleaved calcite surface affects the extent of surface restructuring. Pretreatment of the calcite surface with aqueous divalent Pb prior to humidity exposure did not appear to alter the humidity-induced structural changes that occurred on the calcite surface. In contrast, calcite pretreated with divalent Cd showed little topographical change following exposure to high humidity. The results suggest that while Pb forms surface precipitates on the calcite surface, Cd exhibits a stronger interaction with the step edges of the calcite surface, which inhibits the ability of the calcite surface to restructure when exposed to a high relative humidity environment.     

Synthesis of micrometer to nanometer CaCO3 particles via mass restriction method in an emulsion liquid membrane process

A mass restriction principle has been applied for the synthesis of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) with particle sizes from nanometer to micrometer via a simple emulsion liquid membrane (ELM) process. The internal liquid droplets in ELM were designed as individual microreactors in which the concentration and the total mass of the reaction chemicals were carefully mediated. Instrumental analysis, such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), wide X-ray diffraction (WXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, confirmed a predominant calcite form of the final product via this process. The comparison of calculated particle sizes with that obtained from experimental measurements using dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and SEM analysis suggested that approximately one PCC particle was formed in one water-in-oil (w/o) droplet.     

Studies of the reaction of crystalline calcium carbonate with aqueous solutions of NH4F,KF and NaF

The reaction between solid calcium carbonate and the aqueous fluorides NH₄F, KF, and NaF has been completely investigated. The reaction of CaCO₃ (solid) is completely independent of the dimensions of its polycrystalline particles and gives calcium fluoride. The calcium fluoride is formed in the same form and size as the grains of the original calcium carbonate. A course crystalline fluorite is formed at a satisfactory rate and with a sufficiently high mechanical strength to be of industrial interest.The course of the reaction appears to involve penetration of the fluoride solution into the body of a grain through voids which develop in the solid material owing to the formation of polycrystalline CaF₂ with a different molar volume as compared with CaCO₃. Data were obtained on the rate of formation and nature of the fluoride formed.The fluorite which is formed around the dissolving calcite was shown by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy to have a polycrystalline aggregated structure and an estimate is made of crystallite size.The fluorite grains are pseudomorphs of the calcite crystals and there is crystallographic orientation of the product with respect to the parent phase.     

Synthesis of Calcium Phosphate and Calcium Silicate Composites

A one-step method for preparing composites based on calcium phosphates (CPs) and calcium silicates (CSs) with variable contents of the components is proposed. The combination of chemical analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, and simultaneous thermal analysis with mass-spectrometric detection (STA-MS) showed that the coprecipitation of salts from aqueous solutions yielded mixtures of poorly crystallized carbonate hydroxyapatite (CHA) and xonotlite with minor calcite. Scanning electron microscopy and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption showed that nanosized crystallites of these phases during crystallization were combined into mesoporous aggregates (the mean pore size was 6–11 nm) to form micrometer-sized bulk structures with a developed surface. Two-hour calcination of synthesis products at 1000°С yielded mixtures of well-crystallized Са₁₀(РО₄)₆(ОН)₂ and β-CaSiO₃.     

Application of surface science techniques to study a gilded Egyptian funerary mask: A multi-analytical approach

A wide range of analytical techniques has been used to study an Egyptian funerary mask of the Ptolemaic period (305-30 bc ). Secondary electron (SE) and back-scattering (BS) images, recorded by a scanning electron microscope (SEM), provided a detailed representation of the metallurgical techniques used to construct the gilded mask. It is confirmed, that the golden leaf used to cover the mask is the product of an antique refinery practice, so called, cementation process of naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver, namely electrum. Complementary results of SEM-electron dispersion spectroscopy (EDS) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA)–wavelength dispersion spectroscopy (WDS) provided chemical compositions of the golden leaf as well as in the plaster base of the mask. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) revealed the presence of Au, Ag, Si, S, Cl, Ca, and N, in addition to O and C. Relative concentration of Au/Ag at the surface has been measured by XPS to be 70% to 30%. XPS depth profiling verified silver-enrichment at the surface, as ratio of gold to silver is measured to be 80% to 20% at the depth of 15 nm. XPS chemical mapping images of gold and silver confirmed a rather inhomogeneous character of Au/Ag relative concentration at the surface. The main diffraction peaks in the X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum coincide with diffraction peaks of pure gold, silver metals, and magnesium calcite Mg_0.03Ca_0.97CO₃. Whereas, Raman spectroscopy results implied the existence of Ag₂S, a tarnishing compound, on the golden area of the mask.     

Divalent Cd and Pb uptake on calcite {1014} cleavage faces: an XPS and AFM study

The interaction of divalent Cd and Pb with the {101 4} cleavage faces of calcite has been investigated with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Analysis of the {101 4} cleavage planes of calcite was carried out with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) after exposure to divalent metal-bearing solutions in the 0.1-100 microM concentration range for times ranging from 1 to 24 h. The uptake of Cd2+ by calcite was determined to be greater than that of Pb2+ under similar experimental conditions (1 microM, pH 8.2, 24 h exposure time). In both cases, the majority of the divalent metal was postulated to exist in a surface precipitate. AFM results showed that the exposure of calcite to a 1 microM Pb2+ solution resulted in ellipsoidal surface growths that were attributed to the nucleation of a PbCO3 bulk phase. In the Cd circumstance, AFM showed comparatively flat growth features forming on the calcite surface even at concentrations down to 0.1 microM, where the solution would be expected to be undersaturated with respect to Cd bulk phases. These features were attributed to a (Ca,Cd)CO3 solid solution. The individual exposure of these Cd/CaCO3 and Pb/CaCO3 samples to water pre-equilibrated with calcite (metal free) for 1 h led to the removal of no more than 20% of the divalent metal, suggesting that if there was an adsorbed Pb or Cd complex initially on the calcite surface, it was an minority species compared to the precipitate phase. Exposure of calcite to 100 microM Cd and Pb resulted in the accumulation of precipitate on the calcite surface presumably due to the divalent metal initial solution concentrations exceeding the solubility products of CdCO3 and PbCO3, respectively.     

X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy studies of calcium carbonate electrodeposited on a steel surface

Calcium carbonate was deposited on a stainless steel surface with the use of an electrical potential of 10 V. The crystals formed on the surface were examined with X-ray diffraction and with scanning electron microscopy, which revealed that calcite, vaterite and amorphous calcium carbonate was formed. Two different surface active polymers were added to the solution and their effect on the crystal structure was investigated. It was found that the more hydrophilic of the two polymers promoted calcite growth and suppressed vaterite growth. The more hydrophobic polymer completely inhibited vaterite growth. Both polymers decreased the amount of crystals formed on the steel surface, the more hydrophobic polymer being the most effective. The crystal inhibition efficiency was enhanced close to the cloud point of the polymers. The results were compared with the effect of poly(acrylic acid), a commonly used antiscalant. It was found that poly(acrylic acid) was about as efficient as the more hydrophobic polymer in decreasing the amount of calcium carbonate. At higher concentrations of poly(acrylic acid), almost all of the calcium carbonate precipitated in the amorphous form.     

One-step photochemical attachment of NHS-terminated monolayers onto silicon surfaces and subsequent functionalization

N-Hydroxysuccinimide (NHS)-ester-terminated monolayers were covalently attached in one step onto silicon using visible light. This mild photochemical attachment, starting from omega-NHS-functionalized 1-alkenes, yields a clean and flat monolayer-modified silicon surface and allows a mild and rapid functionalization of the surface by substitution of the NHS-ester moieties with amines at room temperature. Using a combination of analytical techniques (infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS), extensive X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in combination with density functional theory calculations of the XPS chemical shifts of the carbon atoms, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and static contact angle measurements), it was shown that the NHS-ester groups were attached fully intact onto the surface. The surface reactivity of the NHS-ester moieties toward amines was qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated via the reaction with para-trifluoromethyl benzylamine and biotin hydrazide.     

Electrochemically induced atom-by-atom growth of ZnS thin films: a new approach for ZnS co-deposition

Ultrathin films of ZnS were grown on Au (111) substrates using a novel, simple co-deposition method and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-visible spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammograms were used to determine approximate deposition potentials for co-deposition. XRD shows that the material growth is highly preferential with (111) orientation. Both AFM and XRD data indicate that the ZnS growth mechanism starts by the formation of rounded nanoparticles at the surface and then continues by lateral and vertical growth to form flat square crystallites of ZnS. UV-vis spectra taken for the ZnS thin films with various thicknesses, which is related to deposition time, shows that the band gap of the ZnS decreases as the film thickness increases.     

Precipitation of different calcite crystal morphologies in the presence of sodium stearate

The influence of sodium stearate (NaSt) on the precipitation of calcium carbonate during the semicontinuous process of slaked lime carbonation was studied in the systems in which process parameters, like concentration of total dissolved calcium, temperature, CO(2) flow rate and initial addition rate of slaked lime, were controlled. It was found that calcite was the only calcium carbonate polymorph that appeared under the investigated experimental conditions, while FT-IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis of samples confirmed the presence of stearate on the surface of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC). Specific surface area of PCC increased with increasing stearate content: the highest value, s = 52.8 m(2) g(-1), was obtained at t = 20 degrees C, c(tot) = 17.0 mmol dm(-3) and the stearate content of m(NaSt)/m(CaO) = 0.03. It was also found that hydrophobic calcite crystals in the form of rhombohedral and scalenohedral morphology can be produced at m(NaSt)/m(CaO) > 0.01. The exception is the case of nanosized PCC production, when much higher concentration of NaSt is needed, m(NaSt)/m(CaO) = 0.22. Minimal amount of stearate necessary to build up the monolayer and corresponding cross sectional area of one stearate molecule were estimated for the obtained calcite morphologies.     

Crystallization of CaCO3 in the presence of sulfate and additives: experimental and molecular dynamics simulation studies

The effects of sulfate and BHTPMP (Bis (hexamethylene) triaminepentakis (methylene phosphonic acid)) on the crystallization rate, phase composition and morphology of calcium carbonate have been studied. It was observed that sulfate reduces the nucleation rate and favors the formation of aragonite form in the calcium carbonate precipitate. Moreover, in the presence of sulfate the rhombohedral morphology of the calcite crystals is modified, and during the formation of calcite, the development of {104} faces are more significantly prohibited than {110} faces. In the presence of sulfate together with BHTPMP, the crystallization process is inhibited and the modified morphology and the dominant calcite form are observed in the solid. The results from molecular dynamics simulations show the more strong combination of sulfate with calcite surface, in particular the {104} face, in comparison with the aragonite surface. The strong interaction of BHTPMP with sulfate and the aragonite surface favors the formation of the dominant calcite phase in the precipitate.     

Influence of the primary structure of enzymes on the formation of CaCO2 polymorphs: a comparison of plant (Canavalia ensiformis) and bacterial (Bacillus pasteurii) ureases

The influence of the primary structures of plant (Canavalia ensiformis) and bacterial (Bacillus pasteurii) ureases on the precipitation of calcium carbonate polymorphs in solutions of calcium salts and urea at room temperature was investigated. Despite a similar catalytic function in the decomposition of urea, these ureases exerted different influences on the crystal phase formation and on the development of unusual morphologies of calcium carbonate polymorphs. Spherical and uniform vaterite particles were precipitated rather than calcite in the presence of Bacillus urease, while the presence of Canavalia urease resulted in the precipitation of calcite only. Vaterite particles were shown to be built up of nanosized crystallites, proving the importance of nanoscale aggregation processes on the formation of colloidal carbonates. Reduction of the concentration of Bacillus urease in the reacting solution results in the formation of calcite crystals with a more complex surface morphology than the ones obtained by Canavalia urease. These differences may be explained by dissimilarities in the amino acid sequences of the two examined ureases and their different roles in nucleation and physicochemical interactions with the surface of the growing crystals, during the precipitation processes. This study exemplifies the diversity of proteins produced by different organisms for the same function, and the drastic effects of subtle differences in their primary structures on crystal phase formation and growth morphology of calcium carbonate precipitates, which occur as inorganic components in a large number of biogenic structures.     

In vitro study of magnesium-calcite biomineralization in the skeletal materials of the seastar Pisaster giganteus

The mechanisms of formation of biogenic magnesium-rich calcite remain an enigma. Here we present ultrastructural and compositional details of ossicles from the seastar Pisaster giganteus (Echinodermata, Asteroidea). Powder X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and elemental analyses confirm that the ossicles are composed of magnesium-rich calcite, whilst also containing about 0.01 % (w/w) of soluble organic matrix (SOM) as an intracrystalline component. Amino acid analysis and N-terminal sequencing revealed that this mixture of intracrystalline macromolecules consists predominantly of glycine-rich polypeptides. In vitro calcium carbonate precipitation experiments indicate that the SOM accelerates the conversion of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) into its final crystalline product. From this observation and from the discovery of ACC in other closely related taxa, it is suggested that substitution of magnesium into the calcite lattice through a transient precursor phase may be a universal phenomenon prevalent across the phylum echinodermata.     

In-situ flow-cell IRAS observation of intermediates during methanol oxidation on low-index platinum surfaces.

Structural effects on intermediate species of methanol oxidation are studied on low-index planes of platinum using in-situ infrared (IR) spectroscopy. A flow cell is designed for rapid migration of reactant and product species on the electrode surface. IR spectra show adsorption of formate and the formation of carbonate species on the Pt(111) surface at potentials higher than that of CO oxidation. The band assignments for carbonate and formate are confirmed by vibrational isotope shifts. On Pt(100), the absorption band of adsorbed formate is much smaller than that on Pt(111). On the other hand, there is no adsorbed formate on Pt(110) in the potential region examined. The band intensity of formate follows the order: Pt(111)>Pt(100)>Pt(110). This order is opposite to that of the current density in the regions of higher potential. Adsorbed formate on Pt(111) behaves like a catalyst-poisoning intermediate, like adsorbed CO.     

Impact of defects on the surface chemistry of ZnO(0001 macro)-O

Scanning tunneling microscopy and core level photoelectron spectroscopy measurements have been used to investigate the morphology of ZnO(0001 macro)-O, and its reactivity with carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, as a function of surface preparation. Real space images of the surface indicate that increasing the substrate anneal temperature during preparation significantly reduces the surface step density. Surface defect concentration is also monitored by employing formic acid as a chemical probe, which is shown to adsorb dissociatively (HCOOH --> [HCOO](-) + H(+)) only on zinc cations at step edges. Carbon 1s X-ray photoelectron spectra show that carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide both react to form surface carbonate species. Spectra, recorded both as a function of surface preparation and following coadsorption, demonstrate that the carbonate formed from either reactant molecule is located at oxygen vacancies at step edges, evidencing the significant role that defects can play in the surface chemistry of ZnO(0001 macro)-O.