A novel calcium hydroxide molecular composite: preparation and characterisation

Abstract

The surface of a highly crystalline calcium hydroxide sample consisting of thin hexagonal plates was modified by a two-step reaction, so that the majority of surface OH groups were replaced by nitrobenzamide silane groups. This reaction formerly carried out on silica gel surfaces, occurs here to a larger extent because of the lack of porosity, and because of the basic nature of the Ca(OH)₂ hydroxide groups. The reaction only occurs on the free surface of the crystallites leaving their morphology largely intact. This example of a functionalised calcium hydroxide composite has been characterised by spectroscopic and thermal methods, and by scanning electron microscopy.