The inducing effect of lecithin liposome organic template on the nucleation and crystal growth of calcium carbonate

Lecithin liposome was employed as an organic template to control the nucleation and growth of calcium carbonate. The specific interaction of lecithin liposome and calcium ions was investigated by measuring the Zeta potential of the lecithin liposome compound with Ca2+. The morphology and polymorphs of the CaCO3 synthesized in lecithin liposome suspensions of different concentrations were studied. SEM and TEM images showed that spherical particles of CaCO3, which were synthesized under the effect of lecithin liposome, composed of nano-particles in a hierarchical structure. The polymorph of the calcium carbonate was also modified by lecithin liposome. XRD results indicated lecithin liposome can induce the polymorph of vaterite of calcium carbonate as well.