Calcium Sulphate Whiskers (CSW) an innovative material for civil engineering applications: A critical review of its preparation, characterization, current trends, and prospects

This paper provides a comprehensive review of calcium sulfate whiskers (CSW), focusing on their synthesis methods, morphological characteristics, and diverse applications across industries. Whiskers, known for their specific length-to-diameter ratio and ordered atomic structure, offer exceptional physical and mechanical properties, making them valuable reinforcements for various materials. Through a bibliometric analysis, a comprehensive overview of the existing research landscape within this field is provided, offering valuable insights into potential future research directions, and identifying promising avenues for further investigation The paper highlights the significance of controlling reaction parameters to achieve high-quality whiskers with desirable morphologies. Furthermore, the crystal symmetry and composition of calcium sulfate whiskers play crucial roles in determining the thermal behavior and performance of CSW. The multifaceted applications of CSW are extensively discussed, ranging from enhancing the mechanical properties of plastics, ceramics, and rubber to improving friction materials, paper production, and environmental filter materials. This review underscores the growing importance of CSW as versatile reinforcements and highlights the need for further research to optimize synthesis techniques and explore novel applications in emerging fields.