Probing the effects of structurally distinct macromolecular additives on CaCO3 crystallization in droplet-based microfluidics

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of macromolecular additives on CaCO₃ crystallization processes by comparing their effects in controlled bulk and microfluidic environments. A droplet-based microfluidic platform integrated with optical microscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy was employed to systematically investigate the effects of macromolecular additives on the nucleation, growth, and phase transformation processes in confined microfluidic environments. The effects of additives on the nucleation rates were assessed by analyzing the nucleation kinetics of CaCO₃ crystals formed in the microdroplet reactors, with emphasis on variations in functional group identity, functional group density, and backbone structure. The study provided critical insights into the mechanisms of additive-mediated CaCO₃ crystallization within microfluidic confinement. These findings provide a framework for designing macromolecular additives capable of modulating nucleation and growth to achieve desired crystal characteristics. The microfluidic systems facilitate high-throughput screening and precise process control, offering a promising platform for scalable industrial crystallization technologies.