Morphology evolution of barium oxalate hydrate controlled by poly (sodium-4-styrenesulfonate)

• Morphology and size of barium oxalate hydrate controlled by PSS is presented.
• The morphology and size of BaC2O4 depend on the experimental parameters.
• PSS can complex Ba2 + and further promote the nucleation and crystallization.

A systematic examination on the evolution of the morphology and size of barium oxalate hydrate (BaC2O4·0.5H2O) particles at room temperature in the presence of poly (sodium 4-styrene-sulfonate) (PSS) is presented. The results indicate that various parameters including the concentrations of both PSS and reactants, pH values and reaction time markedly influence the morphology and size of BaC2O4·0.5H2O. Small compact spheres, coral-like spheres, big fluffy spheres, dumbbell-like and flower-like crystals can be observed depending on the experimental conditions. It is found that PSS acts as an agent between the crystal and the positively charged ions. PSS can complex Ba2 +, and further promote the nucleation and the crystallization by being attached to the specific facets of BaC2O4·0.5H2O, which finally results in diverse morphologies of BaC2O4·0.5H2O.

Figure morphologies of BaC2O4·0.5H2O from neutral solutions at different reaction time and concentration of Ba2 + and C2O42 −.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide