Synthesis of Calcite Mesocrystals With Unusual Morphologies by Using Small Organic Molecules

Abstract

The authors studied the synthesis of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) in hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) aqueous solution using diethyl carbonate as CO₂ supplier. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffractometry were used to characterize the products. The results showed that calcite crystals with rough surface were formed in solution, while calcite polyhedrons and “flowers” were formed at the air/solution interface. The FTIR results indicated a strong interaction between HMT molecules and Ca²⁺ ions. The possible formation mechanism of the CaCO₃ crystals obtained in the solution and at the interface was discussed, which could be explained by mesocrystal assembly.

Keywords:

• biomineralization
• calcium carbonate
• interface
• hexamethylenetetramine
• mesocrystal

Acknowledgments

This work is supported by National Science Foundation of China (20871001), the Project of Anhui Provincial Education Department (KJ2011Z235), Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation (10040606Q58), Talent Fund for Outstanding Youth of Anhui Provincial Universities (2011SQRL141, 2011SQRL142), the Project of Huangshan University (2008xkjq018, 2010xkjq001, 2010xdkj067), and the Post-Doctoral Project of Huangshan NOVEL Co., Ltd.