Calcite overgrowth on carboxylated polymers

摘要

The kinetics of calcite crystallization on polymers containing -C = O, functional group was investigated by the constant composition method. The apparent order for the crystallization process was found to be 2.2 +- 0.3 indicative of a surface diffusion controlled mechanism. The number of ions forming the critical nucleus was found to be 3-6. These values were confirmed by quantum mechanical calculations using the PM3 method of the MOPAC program package. The surface energy of the growing phase was found to be 30-32 mJ m~(-2) approximately. The formation of calcite was initiated through the interaction of Ca~(2+) ions with the negative end of the -C = O bond as concluded from the quantum mechanical calculations.