Real-Time Observation of CaCO<sub>3</sub> Mineralization in Highly Supersaturated Graphene Liquid Cells
Kyun Seong Dae, Joon Ha Chang, Kunmo Koo, Jungjae Park, Kim Js, Jong Min Yuk
Abstract
The mineralization dynamics of calcium carbonate is investigated under highly supersaturated conditions using graphene liquid cell transmission electron microscopy. We demonstrate that the mineralization process has three steps: nucleation, diffusion-limited growth, and Ostwald ripening/coalescence. In addition, we show that the polymorphs precipitate in a specific order, from metastable aragonite to stable calcite, thus proving Ostwald's rule of stages. In highly supersaturated solutions, the aragonite phase crystallizes in a stable manner, in addition to the calcite phase.
Topics & Concepts
SupersaturationGrapheneMineralization (soil science)Caco-2Materials scienceNanotechnologyChemistryEnvironmental scienceSoil scienceBiochemistryOrganic chemistrySoil waterIn vitroCalcium Carbonate Crystallization and InhibitionMinerals Flotation and Separation TechniquesEnhanced Oil Recovery Techniques