Effects of Anionic Polyacrylamide on Carbonation for the Crystallization of Precipitated Calcium Carbonate

Abstract

The effects of different types of anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) on crystallization behavior of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) prepared via carbonation using calcium hydroxide and carbon dioxide gas. The percentage of aragonite phase increased higher reaction temperature. The use of anionic PAM resulted in the formation of larger PCC aggregates than in the case of PCC crystallized without anionic PAM. This outcome resulted from a contraction of the PAM coils due to the electrostatic screening and counterion condensation effects. The carbonate ions were combined with aggregated calcium ions. Furthermore, the carbonation reaction time could also be reduced by the addition of anionic PAM.