Polymorphic and morphological modifications of metal carbonates

In this thesis, the polymorphism and nanoscale synthesis of metal carbonates was explored. It is hypothesized that the stabilization of the metastable monoclinic phase in bulk group II metal carbonates occurs through the application of stabilizing anionic species such as sulfates and selenates. The monoclinic 10% BaSO4 BaCO3 was found to be stable when stored in anhydrous conditions while the monoclinic phase of 10% SrSeO4 SrCO3 was stable under atmospheric temperatures and humidity. These stabilizing anions were successfully introduced to the carbonate structure through a heat-quench reaction technique. The synthesis of metal carbonate nanoparticles was also explored using a methanol precipitation technique. In this work, the successful synthesis of non-group II metal carbonates such as CdCO3 and FeCO3 under ambient atmospheric and anhydrous conditions resulting in the precipitation of nanoparticles under 100 nm in lateral dimensions.