Abstract
The biological molecules in the extracts of four fruits or vegetables: kiwifruit, oranges, tomato and carrot, were used as templates to synthesize barium sulfate (BaSO 4 ) particles. The products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray power diffractometry. The results showed that, leaf-shaped barite BaSO 4 crystals with toothed edge were obtained with kiwifruit extracts; thorn spherical barium sulfate crystals with diameter of 2-4 micrometers were produced with tomato extracts; rod-like or quasi-spherical BaSO 4 crystals with size of several hundred nanometers to several micrometers were gained with orange extracts; while quasi-spherical BaSO 4 nano-crystals were obtained with carrot extracts. The formation mechanism of BaSO 4 is also discussed, showing that the proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and organic acids in above four kinds of fruits or vegetables may provide nucleation sites, controlling the growth of BaSO 4 crystals with different morphologies.
Highlights
Barium sulphate (BaSO4) is generally white or colorless, chemically inert, insoluble in water, with high density, and the main source of barium[1]
BaSO4 is one of the most important fillers used in the plastics, rubber and paint industries, and is used in pharmaceutical formulations[2]. It can be used for X-ray attenuation instead of shielding made from lead when incorporated into polymeric materials to form composite [3]
More attention has been paid on synthesis of BaSO4 nanoparticles for their multiple applications in the oil industry, electronics, TV screen, glass, car filters, paint industry, ceramics and medicine, etc
Summary
Barium sulphate (BaSO4) is generally white or colorless, chemically inert, insoluble in water, with high density, and the main source of barium[1]. It is widely used as a shading material for the x-ray photography, a gammaray absorber, a white pigment and etc because it is non-harmful to humans. Many approaches have been chosen to control the size and morphology of BaSO4 particles These methods could be classified as direct precipitation, microemulsion, membrane separation and organic modification [1]. The synthesis of BaSO4 nanoparticles by a chemical precipitation route without polymer stabilizers has been reported[1]
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