Abstract:
The targeted synthesis of vaterite, a metastable polymorph of calcium carbonate (CaCO
3), remains challenging due to its rapid transformation into calcite. In this study, waste carbide slag (WCS) was utilized as a feedstock for direct CO
2 mineralization to selectively synthesize vaterite. Following mineralogical characterization, we evaluated the regulatory effects of additive−free, inorganicion (MgCl
2, MgSO
4) and organic media on the crystallization process. Product characterization (XRD, SEM, EDS) revealed that while additive−free, inorganicion, and ethanol systems failed to yield vaterite, an organic alkanolamine medium (H
2NCH
2CH
2OH) successfully directed the crystallization, achieving a vaterite phase purity of over 90%. Mechanistic insights indicate that alkanolamine governs CaCO
3 nucleation and growth via the controlled release of CO
32− and selective crystal plane adsorption. This work establishes a robust theoretical framework for the value−added utilization of industrial solid waste coupled with effective CO
2 sequestration.