One-step synthesis and characterisation of crystalline nano-calcite from phosphogysum by precipitation method

Abstract

In the present study, nano-calcium carbonate (NCC) was prepared from phosphogypsum (PG) as waste material from phosphate industry using Na2CO3 and Al(HCO3)3 as carbonates precursors. The physicochemical characteristics of the prepared nano-calcite CaCO3 were studied using various methods, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), chemical analysis, plasma spectrometry with inductive coupling (ICP), as well as the Bernard calcimeter. The size of the pure nanocalcite particles produced differs according to the nature of the carbonate precursor; they are 51 nm and 68 with the use of sodium carbonate and aluminum hydrogen carbonate, respectively.