Gram-scale, low-cost, rapid synthesis of highly stable Mg–ACC nanoparticles and their long-term preservation

Abstract

A simple chemistry route is reported for the gram-scale, low-cost, rapid synthesis of highly stable Mg–ACC nanoparticles. The possible structure of Mg–ACC can be defined as Mg_0.15Ca_0.85CO₃·H₂O_0.85. The molar ratio of Mg²⁺:Ca²⁺:CO₃²⁻ and the concentrations of the reactants (CaCl₂, Na₂CO₃, and MgCl₂) play important roles in the Mg:Ca molar ratio of the obtained Mg–ACC nanoparticles. In particular, Mg–ACC can be preserved for over one year without crystallization by either storing its dry powder at −5 °C or storing it in ethanol at 5 °C. The ability to synthesize Mg–ACC nanoparticles on a large scale is useful for biomineralization studies and industrial applications.