Abstract
In our crystallization experiments, the influence of alginate from Chilean Lessonia nigrescens and functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was tested through electrocrystallization (EC) and gas diffusion (GD) methods on the crystal growth of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and their possible stabilization of proto-structures in amorphous CaCO3 (ACC) state through pre-nucleation clusters (PNC) essays with automatic potentiometric titrations were performed. CaCO3 crystals obtained in the in vitro above-mentioned crystallization systems were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) and powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Our experimental findings showed that ALG and functionalized MWCNTs stabilized truncated and agglomerated vaterite-like particles through GD and EC methods. While, on the other hand, we obtained qualitative information about induction or inhibition of CaCO3 nucleation that was provided by potentiometric titrations.
Highlights
It is well known that living organisms produce advanced functional biogenic materials with precise control of morphology, size, polymorphism and crystal growth orientation
EC and gas diffusion (GD) classical methods were utilized in order to evaluate the morphogenetic effect of Chilean algae Lessonia nigrescens (ALG Les), pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and oxidized MWCNT (MWCNT-OX) on CaCO3 crystal growth
We found that at increasing concentration of MWCNTs, higher quantity of small calcite crystals appeared
Summary
It is well known that living organisms produce advanced functional biogenic materials with precise control of morphology, size, polymorphism and crystal growth orientation. The effect of proteins and polysaccharides (PS) on biomineralization has been studied; few studies have evaluated the mechanistic effect of PS on crystallization. In order to achieve control over this biomineral, it is important to understand the mechanisms by which crystals are formed and the interaction between organic and inorganic components, as it occurs in nature. PNCs of CaCO3 occur before the formation of metastable solid nucleus of amorphous CaCO3 (ACC) and this was initially seen with measurements with a calcium ion-selective electrode and pH-titration during the early stages of precipitation (pre- and post-nucleation) [7].
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