From Anten’s Sciences
Precipitated silica is a silica (SiO2 silicon dioxide ) produced by precipitation from a solution containing silicate salts. such as silica food grade,precipitated amorphous silica toothpast grade,etc. It is a relatively pure form of the mineral silica, which is produced by the chemical process known as precipitation…..
Structure of Precipitated Silica
Silica is SiO2 produced by precipitation from a solution containing silicate salts. It is a relatively pure form of the mineral silica, which is produced by the chemical process known as precipitation. Sodium silicate and sulfuric acid are the raw materials used to produce silicon dioxide. Large quantities of these materials are mixed with water simultaneously in measured amounts while under constant agitation.
The two chemicals react with each other as the low Fe sodium silicate is alkaline and the sulfuric acid is a strong oxidizer, being a very strong acid. The overall pH of the mixture is kept alkaline, as the precipitation reaction is not as vigorous under neutral or acidic conditions. While other acids would also work to create the conditions necessary for silicas, sulfuric acid is used almost exclusively.
Production
In chemical precipitation, a solid forms from a liquid due to a chemical reaction. silicas are special silicon dioxide, which is formed by mixing solutions of sodium silicate with sulfuric acid in water. A chemical reaction occurs, and pellets of pure silica form.
The physical properties of the resulting silica can vary slightly depending on the exact conditions under which the precipitation reaction takes place. Changes in temperature, the concentration of the solutions used, and the ratio of the ingredients in the mixture can all alter the physical properties of the silica particles. Manufacturers manipulate these conditions to change the size and porosity of the silica grains.
After the precipitated amorphous silica has formed, it is separated from the solution, cleaned, and dried. This involves washing the silica to remove all traces of chemical salts and by-products of the precipitation process. The washing and drying process can also affect the character of the particles. Particle size, porosity, and density can all be manipulated this way to some extent. Manufacturers of silica food grade can prepare silicas in a number of ways depending on its intended use by the customer.