Synthesis of calcite single crystals with porous surface by templating of polymer latex particles

Monodispersed copolymer latex particles functionalized by surface carboxylate groups are used as effective colloidal templates for the controlled crystallization of calcium carbonate in solution. After template removal, well-defined, calcite single crystals exhibiting a rhombohedral morphology and uniform surface pores are obtained. The surface pore size of the calcite single crystals can be readily adjusted through introduction of latex particles with varied sizes. The effects of the surface functional groups of the latexes, the concentration of the latex dispersion and CaCl2 solution and the temperature during the CaCO3 crystallization have been investigated. A three-step mechanism has been proposed for the formation of the composite particles consisting of calcite single crystals and latex particles, and it has been demonstrated that this synthesis strategy is potentially extendable to the synthesis of regularly shaped composite particles consisting of single crystals of other inorganic materials, such as CU2O. In addition, surface-patterned calcite crystals with hierarchical architectures are prepared at a relatively high concentration of latex particles, which act as both colloidal templates and crystal growth modifiers.