Synthesis of hydrophobic CaCO3 nanoparticles

Hydrophobic CaCO3 nanoparticles were prepared in aqueous solution via carbonation method by mimicking biomineralization. In this paper, C17H35COONa solution synthesized by C17H35COOH and NaOH was used as organic substrate and growth medium for CaCO3. This organic substrate not only could induce the nucleation and growth of CaCO3 but could also make the surface of CaCO3 hydrophobic. The spindle-like CaCO3 with a diameter of about 10 nm, the ratio of diameter to length about 1:4, was prepared. According to the floating ratio test, the active ratio of the products exceeded 99% at an appropriate condition. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.