Controlling of morphology and polymorph of calcium oxalate crystals by using polyelectrolytes

•The block copolymer was synthesized by radical polymerization.•The effect of the copolymers on the crystallization of CaOx was investigated.•The polymer and the reactant ratio were found to be important parameters.•The presence of polymers favors the transition of COM to COD crystals.

In this study, we prepared polyelectrolytes to explore their effectiveness in controlling of crystallization of calcium oxalate. The effects were evaluated at different calcium to oxalate concentration ratios in the mother liquid. The polyelectrolytes affect morphology, phase, dimension and particle size distribution of the crystals. Our studies indicated that polyelectrolytes inhibit calcium oxalate monohydrate crystallization so that they are capable of increasing spontaneous nucleation of calcium oxalate dihydrate.