How to synthesize hydrophobic CaCo3

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the synthesis of hydrophobic calcium carbonate (CaCO3) particles within wood samples, focusing on the methods and processes involved in achieving hydrophobicity through a biomineralization approach using oleic acid in a methanol solution.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a method involving submerging wood in a Na2CO3 solution, followed by treatment with a methanol-oleic acid solution and CaCl2, but notes that the resulting surface remains hydrophilic.
  • Another participant questions whether the original poster is following a specific process referenced in a linked paper, suggesting a variation due to the unavailability of dodecanoic acid.
  • Concerns are raised about the distinction between CaCO3 and CaCo3, with one participant humorously suggesting that confusion over the two could be a source of problems.
  • A participant shares a paper that discusses biomineralization and suggests that incorporating silica might reduce the hydrophilic nature of the calcite surface.
  • Another participant recommends a different paper that explores the effects of additives and surface templates on calcium carbonate mineralization, potentially offering insights for the original poster's project.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the synthesis process and potential modifications, indicating that multiple competing approaches and ideas remain without a clear consensus on the best method to achieve hydrophobicity.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the crystallization process and the effects of different additives, as well as the implications of using oleic acid instead of dodecanoic acid. The discussion also highlights the importance of precise terminology in chemical nomenclature.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to researchers and practitioners involved in material science, particularly those exploring biomineralization, composite materials, and hydrophobic treatments in wood or similar substrates.

Wolfdoge
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Hi, I'm new in this forum and I would like to salute everyone in here
I'm currently trying to synthesize hydrophobic CaCo3 particles in a wood sample, so it fills the wood cells and cover it's surface. In order to achieve this, I try to simulate a biomineralization process using an organic substrate in a methanol solution, for the synthesized CaCo3 particles to be hydrophobic.
The organic substrate used is Oleic Acid
The process is the follow:
The wood sample is submerged in 1M Na2CO3 solution for 24h. Oleic Acid is mixed with a Methanol Solution then added to 1M CaCl2 solution, the wood sample is removed and puto into the CaCl2 solution for 24h.
The wood sample is washed with distiled water and ethanol several times, then dried in an oven for 24 hours.
Even though I can clearly see the CaCo3 particles in the wood, the surface doesn't seem to be hydrophobic, as it still absorbs water. I can't really tell what is wrong with the cristalization process, perhaps I could add stir in the wood submersion, because when the methanol-oleic acid solution is added to CaCl2 solution an organic phase is formed, thus the a portion of the wood sample remains in each phase.
I'm currently out of ideas, any help would be much appreciated.
 
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Beware - CaCO3 and CaCo3 are two different things. As far as I am aware the latter doesn't exist, no wonder you have problems making it :-p
 
CapnGranite said:
Preparation of Hydrophobic CaCO3-wood Composite
www.paper.edu.cn/download/downPaper/201003-921

Are you trying a variation of their process?
Exactly, i couldn't get dodecanoic acid in my country so i tried using oleic acid.
 
Borek said:
Beware - CaCO3 and CaCo3 are two different things. As far as I am aware the latter doesn't exist, no wonder you have problems making it :-p
Hahahah just a little typo :p
 
From little typos mighty explosions may grow
 
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Molecular insight into the nanoconfined calcite–solution interface
http://www.pnas.org/content/113/43/12047.full.pdf

Your thread caught my attention because of biomineralization of CaCO3. While I know nothing about creating composite material, this paper might provide some in sights and possibilities of using silica in the system. This might decrease the hydrophilic surface of the calcite.
 
CapnGranite said:
Molecular insight into the nanoconfined calcite–solution interface
http://www.pnas.org/content/113/43/12047.full.pdf

Your thread caught my attention because of biomineralization of CaCO3. While I know nothing about creating composite material, this paper might provide some in sights and possibilities of using silica in the system. This might decrease the hydrophilic surface of the calcite.
That's a pretty interesting document, I'll see if I can use it on my project.
Thank you very much!
 
Try this one: Mechanistic approach to predict the combined effects of additives and surface templates on calcium carbonate mineralization. Crystal Growth&Design, DOI: 10.1021/acs.cgd.6b00514, 2016.
 
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