Calcium Carbonate Films Research Articles

Effect and mechanism of accelerated carbonization on the adhesion property of asphalt mixture containing recycled concrete aggregate

Weak interfacial adhesion between asphalt and recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) poses a significant engineering challenge in asphalt pavements. Accelerated carbonization treatment effectively enhances the performance of RCA by filling microcracks and pores in the mortar on its surface. This study investigated the optimal carbonization time, balancing economic feasibility, using boiling water experiments, pull-off tests, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. Changes in the micro-morphology of the RCA surface at various carbonization times were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Molecular dynamics simulation was then employed to analyze the mechanism by which accelerated carbonization affects the adhesion properties of asphalt mixtures containing RCA. The results indicate that interfacial adhesion between RCA and asphalt gradually improves with increasing carbonization time. After 48 hours of carbonization, the asphalt adhesion rate increased from 52.7 % to 92.2 %, and the tensile strength rose from 1.13 MPa to 2.85 MPa. As the carbonization reaction progresses, spherical vaterite, acicular aragonite and massive calcite in lump form gradually appear on the RCA surface. Eventually, a calcium carbonate film forms and adheres to the RCA surface, enhancing adhesion properties at the RCA-asphalt interface. At the molecular level, carbonization significantly increased the concentrations of asphaltenes, aromatics, and saturates near the interface. The interaction energies between RCA and asphaltenes, aromatics, saturates, and resins increased by 97.5 %, 51.4 %, 35.7 %, and 6.0 %, respectively. Accelerated carbonization offers a viable solution for incorporating RCA in hot-mix asphalt, contributing to the sustainability of pavement infrastructure.

Bio-inspired films of crystalline calcium carbonate: 2D patterning by surface-driven liquid–liquid phase separation and hybrid amorphous-to-crystal transformation

Bio-inspired films of crystalline calcium carbonate: 2D patterning by surface-driven liquid–liquid phase separation and hybrid amorphous-to-crystal transformation

Properties and Degradability of Poly(Butylene Adipate-Co-Terephthalate)/Calcium Carbonate Films Modified by Polyethylene Glycol.

Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) is a biodegradable polymer synthesized from petrochemical resources. PBAT has an exceptionally high elongation at break values which makes it one of the most promising substitutes for LDPE packaging films. However, the applicability of PBAT films is still limited by low strength and high production costs. In this work, we used polyethylene glycol 600 (PEG-600) as a coating agent to modify the surface of calcium carbonate and improve compatibility with the polymer matrix. A series of PBAT/CaCO3 composite films having different CaCO3 particle size and content of coating agent was prepared using extrusion blow molding. The effect of particle size of CaCO3 filler and the content of a coating agent on the mechanical and rheological properties of composite films have been studied. The biodegradation properties have been tested by burying the samples in soil or keeping them in artificial seawater for 90 days. It was shown that the addition of PEG-600 improves compatibility between the matrix and CaCO3 filler as polar –OH groups of PEG have a high affinity toward the polar surface of CaCO3. Moreover, the hydrophilicity of PEG-600 increased the diffusivity of water molecules and facilitated PBAT degradation. This work provides experimental data and theoretical guidance that support the development of high-performance PBAT/calcium carbonate films for the single use packaging industry.

Evaluating the Protective Effects of Calcium Carbonate Coating on Sandstone Cultural Heritage

The purpose of this work was to use different surfactants to deposit different crystalline calcium carbonate films on the surface of sandstone through a simple double displacement reaction. This was done to test the protective effects of calcium carbonate coatings based on water absorption, moisture permeability and weather resistance. Experimental results showed that the air permeability of the stone treated with vaterite calcium carbonate was reduced, but that this did not affect water vapor’s access into and out of the stone. Compared with untreated stone, the water absorption rate was reduced 0.5 times, and the weather resistance increased by 4 times due to small crystal grains, high solubility, and deep penetration hindering the erosion of water and soluble salts. These findings are expected to provide useful suggestions for the protection of stone cultural heritage.

Fast calcium carbonate film growth induced by 1-naphthoic acid at the organic-aqueous phase

Inducing calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitation is an active research field for its functional extension. Herein, we presented a simple but efficient method for fast preparation of CaCO3 thin film induced by 1-naphthoic acid (1 N) at organic-aqueous interface. The film structure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray powder diffractometry. Grain growth and morphology of the quickly formed thin film are described. The results indicate the thickness of the film can reach 5–20 µm, with promotion and acceleration of mineralization between liquid–liquid interface induced by 1 N. These results shed light on the importance of organic molecule-induced crystallization of CaCO3 and open a novel synthetic route for its precipitation.

Reduction in Insect Attachment Caused by Different Nanomaterials Used as Particle Films (Kaolin, Zeolite, Calcium Carbonate)

In the present investigation, we compared the reduction in attachment ability of the southern green stinkbug Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) to glass induced by three different nanoparticle (kaolin, zeolite, and calcium carbonate) films. Using traction force experiments, behavioral experiments, and scanning electron microscopy observations, we analyzed the insect attachment ability and linear speed on untreated and treated glass with the three particle films. The three nanomaterials strongly reduced insect attachment ability mainly owing to contamination of attachment pads. The ability to reduce insect attachment was different for the three tested particle films: kaolin and zeolite induced a significantly higher reduction in N. viridula safety factor than calcium carbonate. The coating of the surface was more uniform and compact in kaolin and zeolite compared to calcium carbonate particle film. Moreover, kaolin and zeolite particles can more readily adhere to N. viridula attachment devices, whereas calcium carbonate particles appeared less adherent to the cuticular surface compared to the two aluminosilicate (kaolin and zeolite) particles. Only the application of kaolin reduced insect linear speed during locomotion. Nanoparticle films have a great potential to reduce insect attachment ability and represent a good alternative to the use of insecticides for the control of pentatomid bugs and other pest insects.

Improved properties of poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)/calcium carbonate films through silane modification

AbstractOne of the most used inorganic fillers is calcium carbonate which quite efficiently enhances the mechanical characteristics while simultaneously lower the cost of thermoplastics, particularly for biodegradable polyester. Virtually, all studies so far have focused on the quest for the filling and modification of nano‐sized calcium carbonates. However, the quantity of nano‐sized CaCO3 added in the polymer is usually lower than 10%, owing to its high‐surface energy and high‐surface area and makes powder easier to agglomerate. In this work, we prepared poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT)/calcium carbonate composite films by extrusion‐blown films with up to 40 wt% micro‐sized CaCO3 content. The influence of particle size (5–12 μm) and modification of the particles (with and without silane coupling agents) on the rheological and mechanical properties was thoroughly investigated. Of all the particle sizes employed in this study, the 5 μm (3000 mesh) particles with 30 wt% content coated with 2 wt% aliphatic silane coupling (CA1) agent was observed to furnish the optimum combination of characteristics. The mechanical properties of P7C3/CA1‐2 film even better than that of neat PBAT film. These results provided a simple approach for PBAT/CaCO3 films manufacture with low‐cost and simultaneously with sound mechanical properties, which can be good candidate for mulching films and packaging applications.

Fabrication of Micro-Patterned Calcium Carbonate Materials Through Template-Assisted Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation

In this study, we report an approach for fabricating micro-patterned calcium carbonate materials. The approach is based on template-assisted microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation, and is green and eco-friendly. As a proof of concept, by varying the templates and optimizing fabrication parameters, different patterned calcium carbonate materials were obtained. Materials with periodic patterns were also fabricated through a periodic template, showing a good scalability of this approach. The results of this study have a great potential in various applications, for example, in the fabrication of coating materials and bone-regeneration materials, where patterned calcium carbonate films with controlled morphologies are highly in demand.

Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Plugging for Enhanced Oil Recovery

Plugging high-permeability zones within oil reservoirs is a straightforward approach to enhance oil recovery by diverting waterflooding fluids through the lower-permeability oil-saturated zones and thereby increase hydrocarbon displacement by improvements in sweep efficiency. Sporosarcina pasteurii (ATCC 11859) is a nitrogen-circulating bacterium capable of precipitating calcium carbonate given a calcium ion source and urea. This microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is able to infill the pore spaces of the porous medium and thus can act as a potential microbial plugging agent for enhancing sweep efficiency. The following explores the microscopic characteristics of MICP-plugging and its effectiveness in permeability reduction. We fabricate artificial rock cores composed of Ottawa sand with three separate grain-size fractions which represent large (40/60 mesh sand), intermediate (60/80 mesh sand), and small (80/120 mesh sand) pore sizes. The results indicate a significant reduction in permeability after only short periods of MICP treatment. Specifically, after eight cycles of microbial treatment (about four days), the permeability for the artificial cores representing large, intermediate, and small pore size maximally drop to 47%, 32%, and 16% of individual initial permeabilities. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicates that most of the generated calcium carbonate crystals occur as vaterite with only a small amount of calcite. Imaging by SEM indicates that the pore wall is coated by a calcium carbonate film with crystals of vaterite and calcite scattered on the pore wall and acting to effectively plug the pore space. The distribution pattern and morphology of microbially mediated CaCO3 indicate that MICP has a higher efficiency in plugging pores compared with extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) which are currently the primary microbial plugging agent used to enhance sweep efficiency.

Surface-Assisted Crystallization of Highly Pure CaCO3 Films Using Bagasse Ash as a Raw Material

The Tequila industry produces agave bagasse, which in most cases is transformed into ash to reduce its volume. Here we present the synthesis of floated calcium carbonate (CaCO3) films using ash as raw material. A nylon mesh serves as a growing platform to facilitate the uptake of calcium from the ash, allowing a recovery up to 64% during the synthesis at the interface water/air. The interaction of carbon dioxide (CO2) with water gets carbonic acid (H2CO3) which reacts with calcium ions (Ca2+) to generate a film of CaCO3 on the nylon mesh surface. The CaCO3 films were studied by scanning electron microscopy, and its microstructure and composition were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray Fluorescence. Our findings show this technique has a potential for large scale production of highly pure CaCO3 powder.

The influence of particle morphology on microbially induced CaCO3 clogging in granular media

Sporosarcina pasteurii (ATCC 11859) is a nitrogen-circulating bacterium capable of precipitating calcium carbonate given a calcium source and urea. This microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is able to infill inter-granular porosity and act as a biological clogging agent, thus having a wide potential application in strengthening coastal foundations, preventing erosion by seas and rivers and in reducing sand liquefaction potential in coastal areas. A successful MICP application requires the understanding of the primary parameters that influence the microbially mediated process to achieve its engineering goals, such as injection scheme, chemical concentrations, retention times, and injection rates. However, the granular morphology has generally been oversimplified to ideal shape without enough consideration in previous studies. The following explores the critical micro-scale influence of particle morphology on mechanisms of microbially induced clogging. Spherical, non-spherical and angular particles were used as granular aggregates in permeating column experiments with the resulting permeability and calcium carbonate content of the treated aggregates examined. Microscopic examination (SEM) defines the features of the distribution of microbially precipitated calcium carbonate and the forms of clogging. The results show: (1) given a fixed duration of treatment, the calcium carbonate content for the spherical particle aggregate is significantly higher than that for near-spherical and angular particle aggregates; (2) for identical durations of treatment, the maximum permeability reduction occurs for angular particles (rather than for spherical particles with the highest carbonate content). This suggests that the microscopic distribution of calcium carbonate is significantly influenced by particle morphology, exerting a critical control in the effectiveness of clogging. SEM images indicate that the microbial calcium carbonate precipitates encapsulate the spherical particles as a near-uniform shell and occlude the pore space only by increasing the shell thickness. In contrast, the near-spherical and angular particles are only partially coated by a calcium carbonate film with scattered crystals of vaterite and calcite further clogging the void space. The polyhedral nature of the non-spherical particles tends to result in a slot-shaped pore structure which critically defines the hydraulic conductivity of the ensemble medium. As the microbial vaterite and calcite continue to accumulate on the particle surface, these slot-shaped pore structures become increasingly more tortuous – resulting in a noticeable reduction of permeability at a lower calcium carbonate content.

Calcium carbonate particle films and water regimes affect the acclimatization, ecophysiology and reproduction of tomato

Tomato is one of the world´s more important vegetables and demands a high consumption of water in production. Climate conditions with high levels of temperatures, solar radiation, and water restriction events affect plant physiology, reproduction, and fruit quality. Particle films (PF) of kaolin have been demonstrated to be an alternative and efficient technology to promote tomato protection. However, researches with PF from calcium materials are scarce, and when considering the physiological needs of calcium throughout the crop cycle, can be strategic. The objectives of this study were to identify the isolated effects of artificial shading using different concentrations of calcium carbonate particle films on the acclimatization, ecophysiological, and reproductive parameters of tomato plants associated with two water regimes. The treatments used were calcium carbonate films (CaCO3) at concentrations of 5%, 10% and 15% (w/v) and without film or 0% (control), and two irrigation water regimes based on crop evapotranspiration (ETc), restoring 100% of ETc (WW) or 50% of ETc (WS) to simulated water stress. The research was into two experiments: the first allowed evaluating acclimatization effects by artificial shading with PF on Falker chlorophyll indices and canopying temperature in three successive applications. The second involved the combination of water regimes and PF concentrations and evaluated gas exchange, chlorophyll transient fluorescence, and flowering/fructification parameters. The results suggest that PF were able to provide acclimatization to tomato plants by artificial shading evidencing significant increases of chlorophylls and reduction in the chlorophyll a/b ratio. The associated effects of PF and water regimes indicated that PF produced a significant antitranspirant and photoprotective effect, mainly under WS, also providing physiological regulation of tomato plants during flowering/fruiting, 10% of CaCO3 accumulated better results in this sense. Particle films of CaCO3 promised to be an additional protection tool in tomato cultivation.

Formation of Pyramidal Calcite and Amorphous Calcium Carbonate Films by Cationic Polyelectrolytes, Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)

A cationic macromolecule, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDAC) has been used for controlling crystallization of calcium carbonate. Continuous amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) films and pyramidal calcites were formed on the plat substrates. The concentration and molecular weight of cationic macromolecules effect on crystallization. The ACC film was highly soluble in water and calcites were anisotropically etched by water. It was found that cationic macromolecule can interact with ACC in spite of repulsive force between ACC and macromolecule.

Structural modification of titanium surface by octacalcium phosphate via Pulsed Laser Deposition and chemical treatment

In the present study, the Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) technique was applied to coat titanium for orthopaedic and dental implant applications. Calcium carbonate (CC) was used as starting coating material. The deposited CC films were transformed into octacalcium phosphate (OCP) by chemical treatments. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies revealed that the final OCP thin films are formed on the titanium surface. Human myofibroblasts from peripheral vessels and the primary bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMMSs) were cultured on the investigated materials. It was shown that all the investigated samples had no short-term toxic effects on cells. The rate of division of myofibroblast cells growing on the surface and saturated BMMSs concentration for the OCP coating were about two times faster than of cells growing on the CC films.

Thrips counts and disease incidence in response to reflective particle films and conservation tillage in cotton and peanut cropping systems.

Feeding damage to seedling cotton and peanut inflicted by adult and immature thrips may result in stunted growth and delayed maturity. Furthermore, adult thrips can transmit Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) to seedling peanut, which reduces plant growth and yield. The objective of this research was to assess the efficacy of inert particle films, calcium carbonate or kaolin, in combination with conservation tillage, to reduce adult and immature thrips counts in cotton and peanut crops. Planting cotton or peanut into strip tillage utilizing a rolled rye winter cover crop significantly reduced immature thrips counts. Furthermore, plant damage ratings in cotton as well as TSWV incidence in peanut significantly decreased under conservation tillage. Aboveground cotton biomass and plant stand in cotton and peanut were unaffected by calcium carbonate or kaolin particle film applications. Within each week, immature thrips counts were unaffected by particle films, regardless of application rate. In cotton plots treated with kaolin, total Frankliniella fusca (Hinds) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) counts summed across weeks were significantly greater compared to the untreated control. For adult F. fusca counts at 3 weeks after planting, an interaction between tillage and particle film treatments was observed with fewer adult thrips in particle film and strip tillage treated peanut. Similarly, reduced TSWV incidence was observed in particle film‐treated peanut grown using conservation tillage. Neither cotton nor peanut yields were affected by particle film treatments.

Behavior and characteristics of amorphous calcium carbonate and calcite using CaCO3 film synthesis

The synthesis of a large area calcium carbonate (CaCO3) film was carried out under room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The crystallographic, thermal, and mechanical properties of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) and calcite obtained from CaCO3 film synthesis were analyzed. Calcium carbonate through the film synthesis initially consisted mainly of ACC and then consisted mainly of calcite as the holding time increased. Morphologically, an increase in blade shaped calcite from hemispherical ACC was observed as the holding time increased.Analysis of the thermal properties showed that when a short reaction holding time was maintained the decomposition temperature of CaCO3 was 680±2°C, whereas with increased reaction holding time, the decomposition temperature of the calcium carbonate approached 755°C.The nanoindentation analysis showed that the calcite present in the calcium carbonate film had hardness of approximately 5–5.5GPa, while the ACC had an average hardness of approximately 0.75GPa. For the combined elastic modulus, the value was approximately 59–60GPa for calcite and approximately 25–30GPa for the ACC.

Hydrogel-free alternate soaking technique for micropatterning of bioactive ceramics on wettability-patterned substrates around room temperature

Abstract We discuss a hydrogel-free alternate soaking technique for the micropatterning of bioactive ceramics on wettability-patterned substrates around room temperature. Wettability-patterned substrates were fabricated by partly removing self-assembled monolayers on glass plates using mask exposure of UV–Ozone. Hydroxyapatite scaffolds or calcium carbonate films were formed selectively on the hydrophilic surface of the wettability-patterned substrates by alternate soaking of the wettability-patterned substrates in two kinds of calcifying solutions. The wettability-patterned substrates formed with hydroxyapatite scaffolds were immersed in hydroxyapatite precursor for the growth of hydroxyapatite crystals. The c plates of hydroxyapatite crystals were highly aligned parallel to the substrates in the initial stage. This technique allow for the micropatterning of bioactive ceramics with low cost, low energy and short time because this technique does not require bioactive glasses which require calcination process for activation, or hydrogels which need long diffusion time of hydroxyapatite precursor, contributing to the application to templates for bio-living culture cells and cell arrays for medical diagnosis with environmentally-friendly fabrication process in the future.

Pseudomorphic transformation of amorphous calcium carbonate films follows spherulitic growth mechanisms and can give rise to crystal lattice tilting

Tuning the pseudomorphic transformation of calcium carbonate allows for the generation of crystal lattice tilting similar to that found in calcareous biominerals.

Transglutaminase-induced crosslinking of gelatin–calcium carbonate composite films

The effects of transglutaminase (TGase) on the rheological profiles and interactions of gelatin–calcium carbonate solutions were studied. In addition, mechanical properties, water vapour permeability and microstructures of gelatin–calcium carbonate films were also investigated and compared. Fluorescence data suggested that the interaction of TGase and gelation-calcium carbonate belonged to a static quenching mechanism, and merely one binding site between TGase and gelatin–calcium carbonate was identified. Moreover, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the mechanical properties and the water vapour permeability studies revealed that TGase favoured the strong intramolecular polymerisation of the peptides in gelatin. The microstructures of the surfaces and cross sections in gelatin–calcium carbonate films were shown by scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs. The results of the fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated that TGase caused conformational changes in the proteins films. Therefore, TGase successfully facilitated the formation of gelatin–calcium carbonate composite films.

Cooperative effects of polarization and polyaspartic acid on formation of calcium carbonate films with a multiple phase structure on oriented calcite substrates

We demonstrated the crystallization of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) on polarized calcite single crystal substrates with three different orientations characterized by the (10.0), (00.1), and (10.4) planes in the presence of polyaspartic acid (PAsp) as an organic additive. The precipitates had a multiple phase structure with thin-film-like and hemispherical forms and were a mixture of calcite, aragonite, and vaterite. The main component of the thin-film-like layers was calcite elongated along the c-axis, regardless of the differently oriented calcite substrates, while the main component of the hemispherical layers was aragonite. The individual crystals of each CaCO3 polymorph shaped the morphology of the mesocrystals. Calcite-aragonite complex films with two distinct structures are similar to those found in pearls and bivalve shells. The combined effect of a surface electric field by virtue of the polarized calcite substrates and PAsp promoted the formation of the thin-film-like layers and moreover, acted remarkably on the negatively charged surface of each oriented calcite substrate. The matching between the β-sheets of PAsp and the calcium-ion arrangement on top of the oriented calcite substrates explained the preferential calcite crystallization in the form of the thin-film-like layers and why calcite precipitates are in the following sequence: (00.1)>(10.4)>(10.0).