The gypsum-brushite system: Crystallization from solutions poisoned by phosphate ions

Gypsum and a non-stoichiometric calcium phosphate sulphate hydrate (CPSH) were grown from solutions poisoned by phosphate ions. The pH ranged from 4.7 to 5.6 and the sulphate over phosphate ratios from 1.5 to 9. In some cases, when the phosphate concentration was high (30%-40%) CPSH was stable. When the phosphate concentration was lower (10%-20%), CPSH formed as first phase in association with gypsum, but dissolved as soon as gypsum crystallized and grew at its expense. In that case, gypsum contained up to 10% phosphate. On the other hand, when gypsum crystallized alone, as first phase, it did not contain detectable amounts of phosphate.