Regulation of industry-scalable precipitated calcium carbonate with extrinsic ions

Abstract Precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) prepared via carbonization by CO 2 is an industry-scalable strategy. However, the solid–liquid-gas three-phase reactions involved in the carbonization normally lead to random morphologies. Extrinsic ions can significantly influence the crystallizing and orienting growth of PCC through their charged surfaces and embeddable atomic sizes. Herein, alkali earth element of Mg, with comparable elemental characters of Ca, is deliberately doped into PCC. The optimal PCC displays a distinct dendrite-like morphology with a relatively high surface area. The molecular states and aggregations obtained from molecular dynamics simulation reveal that the optimal Mg-doped PCC undergoes anisotropic aggregation in its initial nucleation stage. The paper sheets made with the PCC present moderate air permeability and high mechanical stress.