Comparison of Some Characteristic Properties of Natural and Synthetic Calcites as Commercial Fillers

In this study, the particle morphology, particle size distribution (PSD), surface area and porosity, bulk density, thermal stability, and surface properties [water contact angle (θwater), surface free energy (SFE), and zeta potential (ZP)] of natural calcite, also known as ground calcium carbonate (GCC: Ground Calcium Carbonate; Nidaşcarb 70), and synthetic calcite, also known as precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC: Precipitated Calcium Carbonate; adaCAL N1) were investigated and compared in detail. In addition, characterization studies were carried out using SEM, PSD analyzer, BET surface area analyzer, mercury porosimeter, TG-DSC, θ measurement, and zeta meter devices. SEM analysis results showed that PCC particles are mostly irregular or spherical aggregates formed by the aggregation of 50-100 nm sized cubic-rhombohedral primary crystal grains and containing porosity, while GCC particles are mostly angular, irregular and blocky solid masses without porosity. Although GCC particles are finer than PCC particles, due to particle morphology, PCC has much higher surface area than GCC. For the same reason, the bulk density of PCC is lower than that of GCC. According to θwater data, the hydrophilic character of PCC is more pronounced than that of GCC. Differences in the particle morphology of the products play a decisive role in their other properties.