Calcite particles formation, in the presence of soluble polyvinyl-alcohol matrix

The kinetics of calcite particles formation in the presence of soluble polyvinyl-alcohol matrix was investigated by the constant composition method. The presence of the above-mentioned polymer, induces the precipitation of this calcium carbonate polymorph at room temperature possibly through the –OH moieties. The apparent order for the crystallization process was found to be 2.25 ± 0.16 indicative of a surface nucleation mechanism. The number of ions forming the 3D critical nucleus was found to be p = 9. The surface energy of the growing phase was 28 mJ m− 2 relatively small because of imperfections, in the form of vacant sites.