Effects of magnesium and temperature control on aragonite crystal aggregation and morphology

Abstract

In this study, the influence of Mg²⁺ on the aggregation and morphology of precipitated aragonite crystals is investigated at different temperatures. Different from some investigations described in the literature, aragonite precipitates in chemical systems in which Mg²⁺ acts specifically as crystal habit modifiers and not as polymorphic selectors. The results show that at increased Mg²⁺ concentration and temperature the aragonite crystals are less aggregated and that the amount of crystals sharing {110} faces and having larger extension of {001} faces increases. These outcomes may be relevant in biological, geochemical and technological contexts.