PSSS-controlled synthesis of CaCO3 superstructures by Hua Tang, Jaguo Yu, and Dickon H. L. Ng

Crystal Research and Technology

Cryst. Res. Technol. 42, 856 (2007) - Abstract -

PSSS-controlled synthesis of CaCO₃ superstructures

Hua Tang, Jaguo Yu, and Dickon H. L. Ng*

State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Material Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, No. 122, Luoshi Road, Wuhan city, Hubei province 430070, PR. China
Department of Physics of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, PR. China

Keywords	CaCO₃ superstrucutre, morphology, vaterite, poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate)
PACS	68.08.De, 68.55.Jk, 71.55.Gs
DOI	10.1002/crat.200710952

Complex CaCO₃ superstructure can be easily synthesized by using poly (sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSSS) as a structure directing agent to direct the controlled precipitation of calcium carbonate from aqueous solution. The products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The results revealed that the morphology of the products changed significantly with the increasing of the concentration of PSSS in solution, from rhombohedral particles to plate-packed aggregates to spheres with smooth surface, to sponge-like spheres and finally to complex spherical superstructure consisted of plate-like sub-units. We hypothesize that the observed sequential changes in morphology of CaCO₃ particles with added PSSS concentration may be due to the influence of PSSS on nucleation, growth and aggregation of CaCO3 crystals. The formation mechanisms of CaCO₃ crystals with different morphologies were discussed.

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