Controlling the polymorph and morphology of CaCO3 crystals using surfactant mixtures

Inspired by mineralization in biological organisms, fabrication of higher ordered CaCO(3) crystals modified by surfactants has received much attention. In our present work, mixed surfactants of hexadecyl(trimethyl)azanium bromide and sodium dodecyl sulfate were used to mediate the nucleation and growth of CaCO(3) crystals. When the concentration of sodium dodecyl sulfate in the solution is constant (0.1 mM), the polymorph of CaCO(3) crystals changed from pure vaterite to pure aragonite with increase of the ratio of hexadecyl(trimethyl)azanium bromide to sodium dodecyl sulfate. Various morphologies of vaterite and aragonite were obtained. Based on the time-resolved experiments, we suggest that the flower-like CaCO(3) formed via aggregation of hexagon-like vaterite induced by the surfactants. More importantly, we realized that a cluster-shaped morphology of aragonite was produced through the nucleation of aragonite at the surfaces of the hexagon-like vaterite.     

Efficiently stabilized spherical vaterite CaCO3 crystals by carbon nanotubes in biomimetic mineralization

Carbon nanotubes were used to induce the formation of spherical vaterite crystals and stabilize the metastable crystals in the biomimetic mineralization of CaCO3 for the first time. It was found that carboxyl-functionalized multiwalled/single-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT-COOH/SWNT-COOH) can favor the formation of spherical vaterite crystals and stabilize the crystals. In the presence of CNT-COOH, CaCO3 vaterite crystals with diameters of ca. 1-7 microm coated and embedded with the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were obtained in 30 min by adding Na2CO3 aqueous solution to the aqueous solution of CaCl2. The spherical vaterite crystals covered by the carboxylic CNTs can exist stably in water for a week. Carboxylic-polymer-functionalized CNTs can also facilitate the formation of spherical vaterite crystals, whereas the formed crystals completely transformed into thermodynamically stable calcite crystals in water within 10 h. "Offline" TEM observations of the mineralization process of CaCO3 in the presence of CNT-COOH or pristine CNTs revealed the stability mechanism of vaterite crystals with carboxylic CNTs. The crystals nucleate at the carboxyl groups of CNT-COOH, grow around the CNTs, and finally form spherical vaterite crystals embedded and covered by the CNTs. The strong interaction between CNT-COOH and crystals together with the strong mechanical strength of CNTs stabilizes the formed vaterite crystals and makes them difficult to dissolve in water. These findings announce that nanomaterials could strongly influence the mineralization of biomineralization matters, which may help us prepare novel biomaterials and bionanomaterials.     

Oriented aggregation and novel phase transformation of vaterite controlled by the synergistic effect of calcium dodecyl sulfate and n-pentanol

Calcium dodecyl sulfate (CDS) was used for the first time both as an anionic surfactant and as the source of mineral ions in the precipitation process of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The simple reaction of the enriched Ca2+ ions at the so-called organic-inorganic interfaces with the slowly bubbled CO2 gas resulted in the metastable vaterite polymorph with various structures. The single-crystalline vaterite of the hexagonal platelets, the lens-shaped structures with hexagonal symmetry, the olive-shaped superstructures and these with a concave at each top of olives, and another metastable polymorph of aragonite were obtained, respectively, depending upon the concentration ratio between CDS and n-pentanol. The synergistic effect of CDS and n-pentanol is believed to play a crucial role in driving the oriented aggregation of metastable nanoparticles. Simultaneously, the novel phase transformation of vaterite to aragonite was observed, implying the possible formation mechanism of aragonite at room temperature and in the absence of magnesium ions.     

Formation of calcium carbonate films on chitosan substrates in the presence of polyacrylic acid

In this investigation, chitosan membranes with different surface average degrees of deacetylation (DA) are prepared and then are employed as the support matrix to culture calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). In the presence of high concentration of polyacrylic acid (PAA), the CaCO₃ films obtained on the surface of all chitosan films mainly consisted of vaterite, which suggests the presence of bulk PAA plays an overwhelming part in stabilizing the vaterite. As a comparison, the influences of active groups indicate that only in case of low concentration PAA the thin CaCO₃ films grown on chitosan with 8% DA mainly consisted of vaterite owing to the strong nucleation ability of -NH₂ group, whereas, for those grown on chitosan with 80% DA the CaCO₃ films mainly consisted of aragonite. A more complex scenario revealed that in the case of intermediate concentration of PAA the formed polymorphs behave as mixtures of vaterite and aragonite.     

Formation of stable vaterite with poly(acrylic acid) by the delayed addition method

The crystallization of CaCO3 was examined by changing the addition time of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) to an aqueous solution of calcium carbonate by selectively interacting with the crystal at different stages during the crystal-forming process. The precipitation of CaCO3 was carried out by a double jet method to prevent heterogeneous nucleation on glass walls, and the sodium salt of PAA was added by a delayed addition method. In the initial presence of PAA in an aqueous solution of calcium carbonate, PAA acted as an inhibitor for the nucleation and growth of crystallization. However, it was found that stable vaterite particles were successfully obtained by delaying the addition of PAA from 1 to 60 min. The vaterite particles were stable in the aqueous solution for more than 30 days, and the CaCO3 particles were formed by a spherulitic growth mechanism. It is suggested that PAA strongly binds with the Ca2+ ion on the surface of CaCO3 particles to stabilize the unstable vaterite form effectively. Upon changing the addition time of PAA, we found that CaCO3 particles were formed through different formation mechanisms in selectively controlled crystallization at different stages during the crystallization process.     

Biosynthesis of CaCO3 crystals of complex morphology using a fungus and an actinomycete

The biosynthesis of CaCO3 by reaction of aqueous Ca2+ ions with a fungus, Fusarium sp., and an actinomycete, Rhodococcus sp. (both plant organisms), is described. In the case of the fungus, cruciform-shaped calcite crystals are obtained (SEM picture A) while the actinomycete yielded the unstable polymorph of CaCO3, vaterite (SEM picture B). Specific proteins secreted by the microorganisms are responsible for the morphology and crystallography control observed. A highlight of this approach is that the microorganisms also provide CO2 for reaction with the Ca2+ ions, making the crystals completely biogenic.     

利用室温固态反应制备球霰石型CaCO3粒子

合成形态、大小及结构可人为调控的无机材料是现代材料科学的重要研究方向[1]. 借助于各类有机添加剂及模板剂的调控作用, 可利用溶液合成方法制备出形貌与结构受到有效调控的无机粒子[2,3]. 室温固态化学反应已被成功地应用于多种无机纳米粒子[4]及纳米线[5]的合成, 并显示出高效、节能、无污染和操作简便等优点, 因而在材料合成领域具有应用前景[6].     

NH4Cl和HCl溶液浸取电石渣制备多晶型CaCO3

以电石渣为原料,分别以NH4Cl溶液和HCl溶液为浸取剂提取电石渣中的钙,以NH4HCO3为碳化剂制备CaCO3。研究了两种浸取工艺对电石渣中Ca^2+离子提取率的影响,并对两种体系浸取得到的Ca^2+离子提取率、二次残渣量和滤液中的杂质情况,以及制得的CaCO3的产率和性状进行了比较。结果表明,在浸取时间为30 min,浸取剂浓度为2.5 mol·L^-1,pH为8的条件下,以NH4Cl溶液浸取电石渣,加入量按Cl^-/Ca^2+物质的量比为2.0,得到Ca^2+离子提取率为92.87%;以HCl溶液浸取电石渣,加入量按Cl-/Ca^2+物质的量比为2.2,得到Ca^2+离子提取率为98.65%。Ca^2+离子滤液中的主要杂质通过调节pH均可以得到有效控制。NH4Cl溶液浸取电石渣Ca^2+离子提取率略低,二次残渣量高(22.39%),制得CaCO3的产率为1.065 g·g^-1电石渣;HCl溶液浸取电石渣Ca^2+离子提取率高,二次残渣量小(8.87%),制得CaCO3的产率为1.203 g·g^-1电石渣。两种浸取液碳化后制得的CaCO3产品纯度都在99%以上,白度在92.2-97.1%之间,通过控制碳化条件均可制得方解石型、球霰石型和文石型三种晶型的CaCO3。     

卵磷脂-水有序结构对CaCO3晶型的影响

Influence of the concentration of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in the solution of 0.5mol?L-1 CaCl2 on the crystal structure of CaCO3 has been studied by means of X-ray diffraction method. When the concentration of PC is below its CMC, the calcite CaCO3 is formed. It advantageous that CaCl2 reacts with Na2CO3 so as to form vaterite CaCO3 in the lipesome composed of PC more than in the water. The arnount of vaterite CaCO3 formed is increased with increase of concentration of PC. But if the concentration of PC is so increased as to form liquid crystal, then the amount of vaterite decreases obviously. The reason for the difference of crystal type formed has been discussed in the paper.     

Bioinspired crystallization of CaCO3 coatings on electrospun cellulose acetate fiber scaffolds and corresponding CaCO3 microtube networks

This article describes the mineralization behavior of CaCO(3) crystals on electrospun cellulose acetate (CA) fibers by using poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) as a crystal growth modifier and further templating synthesis of CaCO(3) microtubes. Calcite film coatings composed of nanoneedles can form on the surfaces of CA fibers while maintaining the fibrous and macroporous structures if the concentration of PAA is in a suitable range. In the presence of a suitable concentration of PAA, the acidic PAA molecules will first adsorb onto the surface of CA fibers by the interaction between the OH moieties of CA and the carboxylic groups of PAA, and then the redundant carboxylic groups of PAA can ionically bind Ca(2+) ions on the surfaces of CA fibers, resulting in the local supersaturation of Ca(2+) ions on and near the fiber surface, which can induce the nucleation of CaCO(3) on the CA fibers instead of in bulk solution. Calcite microtube networks on the macroscale can be prepared by the removal of CA fibers after the CA@CaCO(3) composite is treated with acetone. When the CA fiber scaffold is immersed in CaCl(2) solution with an extended incubation time, the first deposited calcite coatings can act as secondary substrate, leading to the formation of smaller calcite mesocrystal fibers. The present work proves that inorganic crystal growth can occur even at an organic interface without the need for commensurability between the lattices of the organic and inorganic counterparts.     

壳聚糖·聚丙烯酸配合物半互穿聚合物网络膜及其对pH和离子的刺激响应

壳聚糖·聚丙烯酸配合物半互穿聚合物网络膜及其对ｐＨ和离子的刺激响应李文俊王汉夫卢玉华汪志亮钟伟（复旦大学高分子科学系聚合物分子工程开放实验室上海２００４３３）关键词高分子间配合物，互穿聚合物网络（ＩＰＮ），水凝胶，壳聚糖，刺激响应敏感性水凝胶是一种...     

Calcium carbonate solubility: a reappraisal of scale formation and inhibition

Considerable disparity exists in the published thermodynamic data for selected species in the Ca(2+) /CO(2)/H(2)O system near 25 degrees C and 1 atm pressure. Some authors doubt the significance of CaCO(3)(0)aq) complexes although there is experimental evidence of their occurrence. Evaluation of all the published experimental and estimated data for aqueous calcium carbonate species confirms that the consistent set of constants given by Plummer and Busenberg in 1982 is the best available, and suggests a formation constant log beta = 3.22 for CaCO(3)(0)(aq). This value was confirmed by additional experimental data and calculations using a specially developed computer program. The solubility s and solubility product K(s) are critically evaluated for each solid polymorph (amorphous CaCO(3), ikaite, vaterite, aragonite and calcite) using a hydrated ion pair model and we give coherent explanations for the calcium carbonate precipitation/dissolution process and the existence of supersaturated waters. The practical cases of scale formation and its inhibition by phosphonate-type compounds are discussed and explained with the same model, taking into account the CaCO(3)(0)(aq) species.     

碳酸钙在聚合物胶束控制下的仿生合成

合成了温敏性的聚(N-异丙基丙烯酰胺)-b-聚(L-谷氨酸)(PNIPAM-b-PLGA)嵌段共聚物,在较高温度下制备了以PNIPAM为核、以PLGA为壳的自组装胶束,研究了胶束对碳酸钙晶体生长的控制作用.使用扫描电镜和X射线衍射表征了碳酸钙晶体的形貌和晶型.当聚合物胶束浓度较高时,得到纤维状的文石;当胶束浓度较低时,...     

Nucleation of calcium carbonate as polymorphic crystals in the presence of lipid A-diphosphate

The well-defined structure of lipid A-diphosphate in aqueous solutions provides a way of observing the formation of calcium carbonate crystals. The crystals are either tetrahedral or rhombohedral calcite at a volume fraction of phi = 5.4 x 10 (-4) at pH 5.8 or the vaterite polymorph of CaCO(3) at a volume fraction of phi = 7.8 x 10 (-4) at pH 5.8. In both cases, nucleation, adsorption pH, and the shape-dependent template of lipid A-diphosphate control the formation of the calcite and vaterite.     

无添加剂条件下文石型碳酸钙晶须制备及影响因素研究

在不加任何结晶控制剂或模板条件下,以CaCl2和Na2CO3为原料,利用复分解反应法制备了具有较好形貌和高长径比,且分布均一的文石型碳酸钙晶须,并利用扫描电镜(SEM)、X-射线粉末衍射(PXRD)和傅里叶转换红外光谱图(FT-IR)等手段对其进行了表征。研究了浓度、滴加速度、反应温度、搅拌速度以及滴加方式等因素对碳酸钙晶须的影响。结果表明最佳制备工艺为:CaC12溶液与Na2CO3溶液的浓度为0.05 mol.L-1,溶液滴加速度为1 mL.min-1,反应体系温度为80℃,搅拌速度为250 r.min-1。     

阴离子氨基酸表面活性剂调控碳酸钙的仿生合成

室温下, 在乙醇或乙醇-水混合体系中, 利用氨基酸表面活性剂N-酰基十二烷基肌氨酸钠(Sar)调控合成碳酸钙, 采用SEM, XRD和FTIR等技术表征了反应产物. 在乙醇体系中, 首先形成多面体形状的文石, 然后逐渐转变为圆球状的无定形碳酸钙. 在乙醇-水混合体系中, 合成了花簇状多级结构碳酸钙晶体. 增加N-酰基十二烷基肌氨酸钠的用量有助于形成球霰石结构, 当n(Ca2+)∶n(Sar)=1∶1 时, 得到的花状碳酸钙为球霰石和方解石的混合物, 当n(Ca2+)∶n(Sar)=1∶2 时, 得到纯净的球霰石, 其形貌为大小较均一的单分散的球, 直径约为7 μm; 另外, 当n(Ca2+)∶n(Sar)=1∶1时, 混合溶剂中水和乙醇的体积比由1.5∶1依次增加为7∶3和3∶1时, 碳酸钙晶体的形貌由花状逐渐向球形过渡, 晶体中球霰石和方解石的含量也随之变化, 其中, 当水和醇的体积比为7∶3时, 产物主要为球霰石型晶体.     

A carbonate controlled-addition method for amorphous calcium carbonate spheres stabilized by poly(acrylic acid)s

Stable amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) composite particle with a size-controlled monodispersed sphere was obtained by a new simple carbonate controlled-addition method by using poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) (Mw = 5000), in which an aqueous ammonium carbonate solution was added into an aqueous solution of PAA and CaCl2 with a different time period. The obtained ACC composite products consist of about 50 wt % of ACC, 30 wt % of PAA, and H2O. Average particle sizes of the ACC spheres increased from (1.8 +/- 0.4) x 102 to (5.5 +/- 1.2) x 102 nm with an increase of the complexation time of the PAA-CaCl2 solution from 3 min to 24 h, respectively. The ACC formed from the complexation time for 3 min was stable for 10 days with gentle stirring as well as 3 months under a quiescent condition in the aqueous solution. Moreover, the ACC was also stable at 400 degrees C. Stability of the amorphous phase decreased with an increase of the complexation time of the PAA-CaCl2 solution. No ACC was obtained when the lower molar mass PAAs (Mw = 1200 and 2100) were used. In the higher molar mass case (Mw = 25 000), a mixture of the amorphous phase and vaterite and calcite crystalline product was produced. The present results demonstrate that the interaction and the reaction kinetics of the PAA-Ca2+-H2O complex play an important role in the mineralization of CaCO3.     

Effects of macromolecules on the crystallization of CaCO3 the Formation of Organic/Inorganic Composites

The effects of macromolecules as soluble additives and solid matrices have been examined for the crystallization of CaCO₃. A vaterite form grows on a glass substrate in the presence of poly(glutamic acid) (PGA) containing a carboxylic acid group as a soluble additive. In contrast, no crystal growth has been observed when poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) exists as an additive though it has the same functional group. The conformation or the backbone structure of the polymers may have an influence on the crystal polymorph of CaCO₃. Thin film states of CaCO₃ crystals have been obtained as organic/inorganic composites with chitosan that acts as a solid matrix in the presence of PAA or PGA as a soluble additive.     

The magnetic field influence on the polymorph composition of CaCO3 precipitated from carbonized aqueous solutions

One of the most debated effects the magnetic fields exert on aqueous solutions and dispersions is their influence on the crystal structure of the main scale component, CaCO3. This study presents the results of an experimental program performed to quantitatively evaluate influence of the key magnetic treatment parameters--magnetic induction, exposure time, and fluid velocity--on the polymorph composition of CaCO3, precipitated from carbonized aqueous solutions. The results show that magnetic treatment favored the precipitation of aragonite. The key treatment parameters affecting the aragonite content were the magnetic induction and the exposure time, while the fluid velocity exerted no significant influence. The magnetic field has no significant influence on the zeta potential of the precipitated particles in any stage of the treatment. These experimental findings indicate that the magnetic field influence on the crystal structure of CaCO3 cannot be attributed to the magnetohydrodynamic influence on the charge distribution within the electrical double layer of the forming crystallites. The results rather suggest that the magnetic fields influence the CaCO3 polymorph phase equilibrium either by influencing the CO2/water interface or through the hydration of CO3(2-) ions prior to the formation of stable crystal nuclei in the solution.     

Biomimetic approach to forming chitin/aragonite composites

Biomimetic materials which display the complexity of biominerals like nacre are synthetically difficult to prepare. The formation of chitin/calcium carbonate composites, where CaCO(3) is present as aragonite, was achieved via reacetylation of preformed chitosan scaffolds followed by the combination of presoaking of chitin templates with mineral solutions in the presence of poly(acrylic acid). The as-synthesised composites are comprised of well-ordered ribbons of aragonite crystals held within an organic matrix, mimicking the structure of nacre.