Morphology and particle size control during the spherical agglomeration process of magnesium citrate nonahydrate--颗粒学报PARTICUOLOGY

Li, Y., Cai, J., Tong, L., Liu, Y., Jiao, G., Li, C., . . . Gong, J. (2026). Morphology and particle size control during the spherical agglomeration process of magnesium citrate nonahydrate. Particuology, 111, 231-240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2026.01.022

Morphology and particle size control during the spherical agglomeration process of magnesium citrate nonahydrate

Yangguang Li^a, Jingwei Cai^a, Li Tong^b, Yanbo Liu^c, Guangming Jiao^d, Chengwei Li ^d, Mingyang Chen^{a b *}, Mingxuan Li ^a *, Junbo Gong^{a b}

a State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
b Zhejiang Institute of Tianjin University, Shaoxing, Shaoxing, 312300, China
c State Key Laboratory of Safety and Control for Chemicals, SINOPEC Research Institute of Safety Engineering Co., Ltd., Qingdao, 266071, China
d RZBC (JUXIAN) CO., LTD., Rizhao, 276800, China

10.1016/j.partic.2026.01.022

Volume 111, April 2026, Pages 231-240

Received 10 November 2025, Revised 9 January 2026, Accepted 10 January 2026, Available online 29 January 2026, Version of Record 7 March 2026.

E-mail: chenmingyang@tju.edu.cn; lmx@tju.edu.cn

Highlights

• A negative adhesive free energy value proves tendency of MCN to agglomerate.

• Agglomeration mechanism of MCN spherical particles is investigated.

• Crystallization process of MCN is systematically studied.

• Optimized product presents good powder properties.

Abstract

Magnesium citrate nonahydrate (MCN) is a highly effective magnesium supplement that has gained significant popularity in the food and pharmaceutical industries. This is highly attributable to its distinctive chemical structure and its high degree of biocompatibility. In contrast, the utilization of commercial MCN is constrained by its irregular morphology and particle size distribution. In this study, MCN particles were successfully produced. In accordance with the principles of Lifshitz-van der Waals acid-base theory, the adhesion free energy of MCN in water, ethanol, and formamide systems was calculated. Based on the result, water-based solvents were selected as the solvent system for spherical agglomeration. Subsequent analysis elucidated the agglomeration mechanism of MCN in aqueous systems. Furthermore, the crystallization process of MCN were systematically investigated. The optimal process parameters were determined, including seed loading, seed size, initial concentration, stirring rate and temperature. The MCN products exhibited a 20 % decrease in the angle of repose, a 39 % reduction in the coefficient of variation, and a 60 % decline in caking-ratio, thereby substantiating their enhanced quality. This study provides valuable data support and novel insights for the production of high-quality MCN crystals.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Spherical agglomeration; Magnesium citrate nonahydrate; Particle size distribution; Spherical particles

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