Calcium
carbonate (CaCO3) has three distinct anhydrous polymorphs, namely
vaterite, aragonite and calcite. Although there is a high demand for aragonite
and vaterite polymorphs for biomedical use, their unstable nature makes it
challenging to synthesize them compared to calcite, which is the most stable
form of CaCO3. Despite the remarkable effort on stabilizing vaterite
and aragonite polymorphs in aqueous solutions, phase-pure vaterite and
aragonite polymorphs have not been synthesized yet, without referring to the
use of additives, surfactants or elevated temperatures. Herein, the effect of
ethylene glycol (EG) concentration and temperature on the formation of vaterite
and aragonite particles were investigated at 25 °C and 70 °C. Results showed
that 60% EG containing precursor solution -without any other additive- can
prevent vaterite/aragonite-to-calcite transformation regardless of the
synthesis temperature. Furthermore, the size of CaCO3 particles
decreased as EG concentration increased and it reached its minimum average
values at 80% EG. The results of this study revealed the potential use of the
proposed synthesis route to stabilize vaterite and aragonite polymorphs, tailor
their content, morphology and size without using any additives, surfactants and
elevated temperatures.
Primary Language | English |
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Subjects | Engineering |
Journal Section | Research Articles |
Authors | |
Publication Date | April 1, 2019 |
Submission Date | June 14, 2018 |
Acceptance Date | August 29, 2018 |
Published in Issue | Year 2019 |
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