Experimental Value of the Specific Surface Energy of the Cleavage {10.4} Calcite Rhombohedron in the Presence of Its Saturated Aqueous Solution

• Main Authors: Emanuele Costa, Dino Aquilano
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-05-01
• Series: Crystals
• Subjects: calcite; contact angle; surface energy
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/8/6/238

In this study, we describe a method to obtain experimental values of the surface energy of calcite. A zenithal imaging device was used to acquire pictures of droplets of CaCO3 saturated aqueous solution on the surface of a calcite crystal sample. Pictures were used to measure the contact angle between the droplets and the {10.4} calcite surfaces. The method is discussed along with its geometrical ground, as well as the theoretical foundation of the contact angle calculation. A comparison is made with the literature data; a good agreement is found between our experimental values and those obtained from the more recent ab initio calculations.