Growth of Aragonite CaCO₃ Whiskers in a Microreactor with Calcium Dodecyl Benzenesulfonate as a Control Agent

Abstract

This study presents a novel technique for the controllable preparation of aragonite CaCO 3 whiskers using a microdispersion process. Calcium dodecyl benzenesulfonate [Ca(Ar−SO 3 ) 2 ] was first used as an additive for controlling the crystalline form. A homogeneous concentration distribution in the system was achieved due to the efficient micromixing. The effects of various operation parameters on the whiskers were determined, and the reaction conditions were optimized. The mechanism of the additive was discussed. The dynamic adsorption of Ca(Ar−SO 3 ) 2 on the surface of whiskers was experimentally demonstrated to be in charge of maintaining the one-dimensional growth and the high purity of the crystals. Aragonite CaCO 3 with a crystalline purity of 98−99.5% was controllably synthesized at room temperature. The whiskers were approximately 27 μm in length and had an aspect ratio of about 58.

Continuous Synthesis of Nanocrystals via Flow Chemistry Technology

“…Rapid mixing is the outstanding feature of microreactor, and therefore the application of micro‐mixing method to implement fast precipitation reaction attracts the researchers for improving producing technologies of salt particles. Until now, flow chemistry technologies have been used to synthesize lots of nano salts, including BaSO 4 , CaCO 3 ,84 Li 2 CO 3 , Li 3 PO 4 , FePO 4 , Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 , LaPO 4 , Ag 3 PO 4 , CuCr 2 O 4 , GdVO 4 , and Ca 10 (OH) 2 (PO 4 ) 6 . Both homogenous phase mixing and segment flow mixing are important in this area, as the droplet flow reactor, impinging stream reactor, cross‐shearing stream reactor,84a,96 and membrane dispersion reactor shown in Figure .…”

Manipulation and Control of Structure and Size of Inorganic Nanomaterials in Microchemical Systems

“…(C) Controllable growth of CaCO 3 whiskers in a membrane dispersion microreactor. Reprinted with permission from . Copyright 2015, American Chemical Society.…”

“…Du et al achieved the continuous growth of aragonite CaCO 3 nanowires with a length of 20–27 μm and a crystalline purity of 98–99.5 % in a cycling microdispersion process, as presented in Fig. C . A homogeneous, low‐concentration environment was maintained for several hours for the slow growth of aragonite CaCO 3 nanowires, which belong to the metastable form of CaCO 3 crystals.…”

Fabrication and characterization of composites composed of a bioresorbable polyester matrix and surface modified calcium carbonate whisker for bone regeneration

“…Hydroxyapatite and β‐tricalcium phosphate present excellent biological performance, but their fragility, low mechanical strength, and weak fatigue resistance in the humoral environment prevent further clinical applications . In contrast, calcium carbonate whisker (CCW) is a green and environmentally friendly material with outstanding properties, including heat, tribological and chemical resistance, good availability, and non‐toxicity . It has been extensively studied for biomedical applications and used in combination with biopolymers .…”

“…[25] In contrast, calcium carbonate whisker (CCW) is a green and environmentally friendly material with outstanding properties, including heat, tribological and chemical resistance, good availability, and non-toxicity. [26] It has been extensively studied for biomedical applications and used in combination with biopolymers. [27,28] In particular, composites of biodegradable polymers and CCW with good osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity could be used as bone repair material.…”