Thermal analysis of nanostructured calcite crystals covered with fatty acids

Abstract

The way of precipitation process conducting is crucial for the final product properties and its further applications. In present experiments, the CaCO3 powders, produced by controlled fast precipitation trough gaseous CO2 absorption in Ca(OH)2 slurry, have been covered by two fatty acids: dodecanoic (lauric) acid and tetradecanoic (myristic) acid. This multiphase reaction was conducted in a new rotating disc reactor unit which enables to control inter- and intra-face mass and energy transfer as well as the macro- and micromixing effects in the reacting system. The obtained nanopowders have been observed by the use of the scanning electron microscope. The X-ray diffraction technique as well as the dynamic light scattering (DLS) and the thermogravimetric method (TG) were further used for its deep analyses. The experimental data have allowed for distinction between different fatty acid molecules species present on calcite surface (chemisorbed ones, inter-located between adsorbed to surface, formed mono- and bilayers and the soap) or free fatty acids molecules if presented in the sample. The amount of fatty acid species forming different layers on calcite as well as the size and distribution of fatty acid coated CaCO3 powders have been also calculated.