Morphology control of barium sulfate by PEO-PPO-PEO as crystal growth modifier

Shape-tunable BaSO4 crystals were obtained by using PEO-PPO-PEO as crystal growth modifiers to direct the controlled precipitation of BaSO4 from aqueous solution at room temperature. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show diverse morphologies of BaSO4 at different polymer concentration solution, such as star-like lamellar, square flakes, and snowflake. It indicates that PEO-PPO-PEO as crystal growth modifiers will extend the possibilities for controlling the shape and size of inorganic crystals by this environmentally friendly and inexpensive method.