The effect of sulfated polysaccharides on the crystallization of calcite superstructures

Calcite with unique morphology and uniform size has been successfully synthesized in the presence of classes of polysaccharides based on carrageenans. In the crystallization of calcite, the choice of different carrageenans, (iota, lambda and kappa), as additives concedes systematic study of the influence of different chemical structures and particularly molecular charge on the formation of CaCO3 crystals. The uniform calcite superstructures are formed by assemblies and aggregation of calcite crystals. The mechanism for the formation of calcite superstructures was studied by a variety of techniques, SEM, TEM, XRD, time-resolved conductivity and light scattering measurements, focusing on the early stages of crystals' nucleation and aggregation.

► Calcite superstructures with unique morphology and high order have been synthesized in the presence carrageenans polysaccharides. ► The mechanism for the formation of calcite superstructures was studied by a variety of techniques focusing on the early stages of crystals' nucleation.