Calcium carbonate mineralization. Part II: effect of poly(ethylene glycol) and block copolymers molecular weight on formation of precipitate

In this study the role of PEG and PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymers molecular weight in precipitation of calcium carbonate was examined. The CaCO3 particles were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray, SEM and particle size distribution analysis. In absence and presence of modifiers, mixing of the reagents led to the formation of calcite crystals. The calcium carbonate obtained with poly(ethylene glycol) and block copolymers was characterized by smaller diameter in comparison with the one without modifiers. It was observed that using compounds with different molecular weights has no obvious effect on the form and properties of precipitated calcium carbonate particles.