The mechanism of calcium carbonate formation has been of interest for decades, but additive-controlled systems are poorly understood. Here the authors show that polycarboxylates facilitate bicarbonate entrapment and thereby inhibit nucleation. Distinct water environments in amorphous calcium carbonate nanoparticles arise from colloidal formation pathways and lead to mineral conductivity.
- Maxim B. Gindele
- Sanjay Vinod-Kumar
- Guinevere Mathies
