Colloidal silica

Colloidal silicas are suspensions of fine amorphous, nonporous, and typically spherical silica particles in a liquid phase. It may be produced by Stöber process from Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS).

Properties

Usually they are suspended in an aqueous phase that is stabilized electrostatically. Colloidal silicas exhibit particle densities in the range of 2.1 to 2.3 g/cm³.

Most colloidal silicas are prepared as monodisperse suspensions with particle sizes ranging from approximately 30 to 100 nm in diameter. Polydisperse suspensions can also be synthesized and have roughly the same limits in particle size. Smaller particles are difficult to stabilize while particles much greater than 150 nanometers are subject to sedimentation.

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 depends on the conditions of polymerization. Initial acidification of a water-glass (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 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 on 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.
• High temperature binders
• Investment casting - used as the inorganic binder in moulds
• An abrasive - for polishing silicon wafers
• Carbonless paper
• As binder or silica source in catalysts
• Desiccant
• As lubricant in the manufacture of pharmaceutical capsules and tablets.
• Stabilizing and rigidizing refractory ceramic fiber blankets
• Abrasion resistant coatings
• Increasing friction - used to coat waxed floors, textile fibers, cardboards 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, stabilising 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.
• Reduced porosity and increased protection from alkali-silica reaction (ASR).

See also

• Silica dioxide