Preparation of Mirabilite Microparticles via the Anti-Solvent Recrystallization Process

Mirabilite microparticles was prepared via the anti-solvent recrystallization process. The solvent-antisolvent system was constructed by adding saturated aqueous solution of mirabilite into absolute ethanol. The best mixing mode and the mixing ratio, the stirring time and the droplet acceleration were selected by single factor experiments. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the generated mirabilite microparticles. The optimal one-factor conditions were solvent-anti-solvent ratio of 1:4, stirring for 40 min and droplet acceleration of 2 mL·min^-1. Under the optimal conditions, the mirabilite microparticles with complete hexahedral form and uniform surface were obtained, the average particle size was about 5 μm.