Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

09:31
Calcium Carbonate Formation in the Presence of Biopolymeric Additives
Published on: May 14, 2019
Interactions in Calcium Oxalate Hydrate/Surfactant Systems
Sikiric1, Filipovic-Vincekovic, Babic-Ivanci&cacute
1Faculty of Agriculture, Ruder Boskovic Institute, Zagreb, 10001, Croatia
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
|March 27, 1999
Summary
Both sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and dodecylammonium chloride surfactants inhibit calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) to calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) transformation by adsorbing onto crystal faces. SDS is a more effective inhibitor, influencing crystal growth.
Area of Science:
- Crystallization and Solid-State Chemistry
- Surface Chemistry and Interfacial Phenomena
Background:
- Calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) transforms into the more stable calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM).
- Surfactants can influence phase transformations and crystal habit.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for controlling mineral formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phase transformation of COD to COM in the presence of anionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) and cationic (dodecylammonium chloride) surfactants.
- To determine the inhibitory effects of these surfactants on the transformation process.
- To analyze the adsorption behavior of surfactants at the solid/liquid interface.
Main Methods:
- Studied the phase transformation of COD to COM in aqueous solutions containing SDS and dodecylammonium chloride.
- Analyzed the adsorption isotherms of both surfactants at the solid/liquid interface.
- Investigated the preferential adsorption of surfactants on different crystal faces.
Main Results:
- Both SDS and dodecylammonium chloride inhibit the COD to COM transformation but do not completely halt it.
- Surfactants adsorb preferentially on different crystal faces, affecting crystal morphology.
- SDS demonstrates a stronger inhibitory effect compared to dodecylammonium chloride.
- Adsorption isotherms for both surfactants exhibit a two-plateau characteristic, with variations attributed to surface interactions.
Conclusions:
- Surfactant adsorption at specific crystal faces is the mechanism for inhibiting COD to COM phase transformation.
- Differences in surfactant structure and crystal surface properties lead to distinct adsorption behaviors and inhibition efficiencies.
- SDS is a more potent inhibitor due to its specific interactions with the crystal surface.
Related Concept Videos
Common Ion Effect
Compared with pure water, the solubility of an ionic compound is less in aqueous solutions containing a common ion (one also produced by dissolution of the ionic compound). This is an example of a phenomenon known as the common ion effect, which is a consequence of the law of mass action that may be explained using Le Châtelier’s principle. Consider the dissolution of silver iodide:
Factors Affecting Solubility
Compared with pure water, the solubility of an ionic compound is less in aqueous solutions containing a common ion (one also produced by dissolution of the ionic compound). This is an example of a phenomenon known as the common ion effect, which is a consequence of the law of mass action that may be explained using Le Chȃtelier’s principle. Consider the dissolution of silver iodide:
Ionic Strength: Effects on Chemical Equilibria
The addition of an inert ionic compound increases the solubility of a sparingly soluble salt. For example, adding potassium nitrate to a saturated solution of calcium sulfate significantly enhances the solubility of calcium sulfate. Le Châtelier's principle cannot predict this shift in the equilibrium. Instead, this could be explained in terms of changes in the effective concentration of the ions in solution in the presence of added inert salt.
In this solution, the primary cation—the calcium...
In this solution, the primary cation—the calcium...
Solubility Equilibria: Overview
When a substance such as sodium chloride is added to water, it dissolves, forming an aqueous solution. The extent of dissolution is called solubility. The process of dissolution can exist in equilibrium, just like other chemical processes. Solubility equilibria are also called precipitation equilibria because the process of solubility can be reversible. The reverse of the solubility process is called precipitation.
Solubility is important in biological and environmental processes. A notable...
Solubility is important in biological and environmental processes. A notable...
Surface Active Agents
Surfactants, named for their behavior at interfaces, positively adsorb at the interfaces of two phases, reducing interfacial tension. Their versatility as emulsifiers, detergents, and foaming agents stems from this ability. Surfactants, often termed amphiphiles, share the property of amphipathy, with molecules having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions. The hydrophilic part is called the head, and the hydrophobic part, including an elongated alkyl substituent, forms the tail.Surfactants...
Micelles
Micelle formation is an intricate process that hinges on the properties of amphiphilic or amphipathic molecules and the conditions of the system in which they are found. Amphiphilic molecules, which have both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) parts, play a critical role in this process.In aqueous environments, these molecules arrange themselves such that their hydrophilic heads are turned towards the water phase, while their hydrophobic tails are oriented away...

