A route for the direct crystallization of dolomite

The direct crystallization of dolomite from an aqueous solution at temperatures between 60?220 ?C was followed in situ through time-resolved synchrotron-based energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction combined with offline high-resolution imaging, X-ray diffraction, and infrared spectroscopy. Crystalline CaMg(CO3)2 phases form through a three-stage process. In the first stage, a nanoparticulate magnesium-deficient, amorphous calcium carbonate (Mg-ACC) with a nominal formula of Ca0.606Mg0.394CO3?1.37H2O forms. After a temperature-dependent induction time, during stage 2 the Mg-ACC partially dehydrates and orders prior to its rapid (