Crystallization of CaCO₃ in the presence of PEO‐<i>block</i>‐PMAA copolymers

Abstract

How copolymers affect the crystallization of inorganic materials has been studied, using as an example the effect of poly(ethylene oxide)‐ block ‐poly(methacrylic acid) (PEO‐ bl ‐PMAA) on calcite (CACO 3 ). It si shown that the presence of PEO‐ bl ‐PMAA can lead to a drastic alteration of the crystal habit of calcite, producing a different morphology as a result of the changed crystallization kinetics. It is hoped that this work will eventually lead to a high degree of control of crystallization in the laboratory, approaching that found in nature.