CeO 2-DOPED PCC AND PRODUCTION METHOD THEREOF

Abstract

The invention relates to Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC) doped with Cerium (IV) Oxide (CeO2). It also comprises the production of functionalized PCC and corresponding nanocomposite materials.

Description

[0001] CeO2-DOPED PCC AND ITS PRODUCTION METHOD

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC) doped with Cerium (IV) Oxide (CeO2). The invention also pertains to the production of nanocomposite materials through the functionalization of PCC.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Calcite is a naturally occurring mineral composed primarily of calcium carbonate. Once micronized through physical processes, it is widely used as a filler in industries such as paint, paper, and plastics due to its whiteness, costeffectiveness, and beneficial properties.

[0006] Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC), on the other hand, refers to chemically synthesized, purified, or refined calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Natural calcite cannot be used directly in fields such as food, cosmetics, or medicine. For such applications, PCC provides significant advantages, as it features a narrow particle size distribution, extremely fine initial particle sizes, high CaCO3content, and low impurity levels. It is therefore favored in the production of paperboard, paints, and similar industries. The chemical composition, crystal structure, and particle size range determine the industrial utility of calcite.

[0007] OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

[0008] PCC is a material with higher added value compared to natural calcite. By chemically functionalizing PCC and synthesizing it into nanoparticles or nanocomposites, novel products usable in electronics, medicine, dentistry, paper, food, and cosmetics have been developed.

[0009] CeO2is one of the most abundant rare earth oxides and is widely studied as a catalyst or catalytic support due to its unique characteristics and high oxygen storage capacity. The CeO2-doped PCC developed in the present invention enables applications in previously unexplored areas compared to both natural calcite and conventional PCC.

[0010] Although natural calcite and PCC are commonly used as industrial additives, the invention introduces the first nanocomposite material synthesized from PCC doped with high-purity CeO2at the nanoscale. This multifunctional material allows PCC to be employed in advanced technologies that require high purity. Furthermore, the synthesized material possesses biocompatible properties.

[0011] FIGURE LIST

[0012] Figure 1 : Process flow diagram of the invention.

[0013] Reference numbers used in the figures:

[0014] 1 . PCC Solution

[0015] 2. Ce(NO3)36H2O Solution

[0016] 3. Mixture of PCC + Ce(NO3)36H2O Solution

[0017] 4. NaOH Solution

[0018] 5. Mixture of PCC + Ce(NO3)36H2O + NaOH Solution

[0019] 6. CeO2@PCC Solution

[0020] 7. CeO2@PCC Final Product

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The invention concerns PCC doped with Cerium (IV) Oxide (CeO2). Initially, an aqueous solution of Cerium Nitrate (Ce(NO3)36H2O) is prepared with a minimum molarity of 0.01 M, depending on the volume of the reaction vessel. This solution serves as the salt precursor for synthesizing CeO2at the nanoscale. The solution is stirred until completely clear, ensuring full dissolution of the salt. Subsequently, a PCC solution is prepared in a PCC:Ce(NO3)36H2O ratio ranging from 1 :100 to 100:1 , with a typical volume ratio of 1 :1 to 1 :3 relative to the cerium nitrate solution. The PCC solution is then added to the cerium nitrate solution and mixed thoroughly for at least 15 minutes to ensure homogeneous dispersion. In the third step, a 7 M NaOH solution is prepared, depending on the reactor volume, and is added dropwise to the previous mixture while stirring continuously to initiate the reaction and stabilize ionic balance. The resulting mixture is transferred to a Teflon-lined autoclave and subjected to hydrothermal treatment at a temperature of at least 185°C for a minimum of 12 hours. Post-reaction, the solution is centrifuged at a minimum of 4000 rpm for at least 30 minutes to isolate the nanoparticles. The collected nanocomposite is washed several times with distilled water, ethanol, and / or similar organic solvents to remove impurities. Finally, the purified material is dried at a minimum temperature of 60°C for at least 6 hours to obtain the final CeO2@PCC product.

[0023] The steps of the method:

[0024] • Preparing aqueous solutions of Ce(NO3)36H2O and PCC.

[0025] • Mixing the two solutions thoroughly.

[0026] • Preparing and adding NaOH solution to the mixture.

[0027] • Continue to mix all components.

[0028] • Transferring the mixture to a Teflon-lined reactor and apply hydrothermal treatment.

[0029] • Obtaining the CeO2-doped PCC (CeO2@PCC).

[0030] • Centrifuge to isolating the nanoparticles.

[0031] • Wash to removing impurities and dry to complete the process.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) material characterized by being doped with Cerium (IV) Oxide (CeO2) through a hydrothermal method.

2. A method for doping precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) with Cerium (IV) Oxide (CeO2), characterized by comprising the steps below:- Preparing an aqueous solution of Cerium Nitrate (Ce(NO3)36H2O);- Preparing a PCC solution in a PCC:Ce(NO3)36H2O ratio ranging from 1 :100 to 100:1, with volume ratios of 1 :1 to 1 :3 depending on the reactor volume;- Adding the PCC solution to the Cerium Nitrate solution;- Stirring the combined solutions;- Adding a NaOH solution to the mixture to ensure ionic balance and reaction initiation;- Transferring the mixture to a Teflon-lined reactor for hydrothermal synthesis of CeO2-doped PCC (CeO2@PCC).

3. The method according to Claim 2 characterized by comprising the steps of centrifuging the resulting CeO2@PCC to isolate nanoparticles, washing with water and ethanol to remove impurities, and drying to obtain the final nanocomposite material.

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