Investigating vaterite phase stabilisation by a tetrazole molecule during calcium carbonate crystallisation

Tetrazole compounds have recently been found to impact on crystal morphology but in a manner different from that of carboxylate molecules. One such molecule was found to stabilise vaterite and this was investigated by assessing the impact of systematic changes on its structure. It was found that both the tetrazole and the formyl functionalities were required for vaterite stabilisation. The mechanism of stabilisation appears to be via inhibition of vaterite dissolution.

► Homogenous nucleation is inhibited by all the molecules investigated.
► Tetrazole and acetyl functionalities are important for vaterite stabilisation.
► Only adsorption of species 2 is significant as seen in the DRIFT spectra.
► Combined with SEM results, this suggests vaterite dissolution is being inhibited.
► Species 1 and 3 appear to promote calcite formation.