What is the use of VATerite?
Moreover, Vaterite, a form of calcium carbonate, recently became a candidate for a drug delivery material and a filler for bone defects. As a result of traits that include specifically high specific surface area in addition solubility, low specific gravity, and high porosity.
Researchers at KMOU Develop Organic-Solvent-Free Method for Nanosized Vaterite Production
Nanosized vaterite, with applications in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, can now be produced without toxic organic solvents.
Berlin, Germany – Nanosized vaterite, a form of calcium carbonate with significant applications in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, has long posed production challenges due to the need for toxic organic solvents. However, researchers from the Korea Maritime & Ocean University (KMOU) have recently unveiled a groundbreaking method that eliminates the use of these solvents, making nanosized vaterite production environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
Vaterite, one of the three forms of calcium carbonate, is highly sought after for its biocompatibility, high porosity, solubility, and large specific surface area. Thus, it finds applications in drug delivery, cosmetics, and even bone defect filling. However, its production has been hindered by the requirement for expensive and toxic organic solvents. Thus, resulting in significant waste and environmental harm.
What is the use of VATerite? What is the use of VATerite?
Lastly, the team of researchers, led by Professor Myoung-Jin Kim from the Department of Environmental Engineering at KMOU. Devised a three-stage process that relies on seawater, sucrose, ultrasonication, and aging to synthesize nanosized vaterite particles.
The method involves three stages!
Firstly, calcium elution, carbonation, and aging. In the calcium elution stage, a solution containing seawater and sucrose. Then combined with calcium oxide, facilitated by magnesium ions from seawater. This leads to the release of free Ca2+ ions, forming complexes with sucrose.
In the carbonation stage, eluted Ca2+ ions react with injected carbon dioxide, resulting in solid calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitate. Moreover, ultrasonic vibrations suppress the growth of CaCO3 particles, ensuring nanosized formation. Furthermore, aging further reduces particle size, yielding nanosized vaterite.
Optimal conditions in each stage result in nanosized vaterite production with 100% purity. Sucrose concentration during calcium elution should be around 2.3 mM to generate free Ca2+ ions without increasing solution viscosity. In the carbonation step, controlling end pH, ultrasonic intensity, and stirring speed is crucial. Stopping the carbonation reaction at pH 8 or 9, ultrasonication at 30% intensity, and stirring at 400–600 rpm produce nanosized vaterite. Aging at 200 rpm for 10 minutes is optimal.
What is the use of VATerite?
The result is pure vaterite particles with a size of 683 nanometers, achieved without the use of organic solvents. Professor Kim highlights that “the proposed method can be highly advantageous from economic and environmental viewpoints for the mass production of nanosized vaterite, without requiring a substantial amount of organic solvent.”
This breakthrough paves the way for the mass production of nanosized vaterite in an environmentally friendly manner, offering potential benefits for a range of industries. Thus, researchers are hopeful that this method will find applications in novel fields soon.
Reference:
- Title of original paper: Nanosized vaterite production through organic-solvent-free indirect carbonation
- Journal: Ultrasonics Sonochemistry
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2023.106495
