The synthesis of calcium carbonate microparticles with multiple morphologies through self-assembly method

Taking advantage of the biocompatibility and biodegradability of calcium carbonate, a simple method was introduced to synthesize the calcium carbonate microparticles with different morphologies, including hollow (H-calcium), flower-like (P-calcium) and peanut-like (P-calcium). The possible formation mechanisms of these kinds of calcium carbonate microparticles were discussed in this study. Initially, the aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) was possibly hydrolyzed, and octa(amino-propylsilsesquioxane) (R-NH3+) was obtained. The R-NH3+ might guide the CaCO3 nanoparticles to form multiple calcium carbonate microparticles in aqueous phase because of their positive potential. Furthermore, the final treatments were very essential to obtain the calcium carbonate microparticles with satisfactory shape with this method. The XRD and FTIR results revealed the components and crystalline phase of these products. The morphologies were characterized by SEM and TEM. Furthermore, the potential value of these kinds of microparticles was discussed. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.