Dynamic Light Scattering Study of the Inhibiting Effect on Crystal Growth of Calcium Carbonate

This study reports the first application of dynamic light scattering to observations of crystal growth of calcium carbonate from a supersaturated solution. Crystal size distributions around the critical nucleus radius (approximate to 2 nm at Omega = 18) were measured in La-free and 5 mu M La-doped conditions. In the former, the intensity of scattered light increased smoothly and particle size increased with time. In the case of La-doped condition, the total scattering volume of particles was smaller, and grew very slowly compared with the La-free condition. These results show that the inhibiting effect of La3+ on calcium carbonate occurred from the initial stage of crystal growth.