Colloidal silica
Colloidal silicas are suspensions of fine amorphous, nonporous, and typically spherical silica particles in a liquid phase.
The surface of colloidal silica in contact with water is covered by siloxane bonds (≡Si–O–Si≡) and silanol groups (≡Si–OH). This makes colloidal silica very hydrophilic and capable of forming numerous hydrogen bonds.
Manufacture
Colloidal silicas are most often prepared in a multi-step process where an alkali-silicate solution is partially neutralized, leading to the formation of silica nuclei. The subunits of colloidal silica particles are typically in the range of 1 to 5 nm. Whether or not these subunits are joined together depends on the conditions of polymerization. Initial acidification of a waterglass (sodium silicate) solution yields Si(OH)4.
If the pH is reduced below 7 or if salt is added, then the units tend to fuse together in chains. These products are often called silica gels. If the pH is kept slightly on the alkaline side of neutral, then the subunits stay separated, and they gradually grow. These products are often called precipitated silica or silica sols. Hydrogen ions from the surface of colloidal silica tend to dissociate in aqueous solution, yielding a high negative charge. Substitution of some of the Si atoms by Al is known to increase the negative colloidal charge, especially when it is evaluated at pH below the neutral point. Because of the very small size, the surface area of colloidal silica is very high.
The colloidal suspension is stabilized by pH adjustment and then concentrated, usually by evaporation. The maximum concentration obtainable depends on the particle size. For example, 50 nm particles can be concentrated to greater than 50 wt% solids while 10 nm particles can only be concentrated to approximately 30 wt% solids before the suspension becomes too unstable.
Applications
- In papermaking colloidal silica is used as a drainage aid. It increases the amount of cationic starch that can be retained in the paper. Cationic starch is added as sizing agent to increase the dry strength of the paper.
- Nanomedicine [1]
- High temperature binders
- Investment casting – used in moulds
- An abrasive – for polishing silicon wafers
- Carbonless paper
- Catalysts
- Moisture Absorbent
- It increases the bulk & tapped density of powders and granules
- It is used as a free-flow agent to assist powder flow, e.g. in tabletting, by reducing the angle of repose of bulk powder.
- Stabilizing and rigidizing refractory ceramic fiber (fiberfrax) blankets
- Abrasion-resistant coatings
- Increasing friction – used to coat waxed floors, textile fibers and railway tracks to promote traction
- Antisoiling – fills micropores to prevent take up of dirt and other particles into textiles
- Surfactant – used for flocculating, coagulating, dispersing, stabilizing etc.
- Liquid silicon dioxide (colloidal silica) is used as a wine and juice fining agent.
- Absorbent
- Colloidal silica is used in concrete densifiers and polished concrete.
- In manufacturing Quantum dots, small semi-conductors used in various scientific research settings
- used as an ingredient in many "Ceramic Coatings"
See also
References
- Chapa, Christian; Piñón, Ana Laura; García, Perla Elvia (March 28, 2018). "Synthesis of Controlled-Size Silica Nanoparticles from Sodium Metasilicate and the Effect of the Addition of PEG in the Size Distribution". Materials. 11 (4): 510. Bibcode:2018Mate...11..510.. doi:10.3390/ma11040510. PMC 5951356. PMID 29597254.