Getting acquainted with the unique substance Aerosil. What it is?

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Aerosil (or silicon dioxide) is a translucent (has a slightly bluish tint), light and friable powder without aroma or taste. It is obtained as a result of the hydrolysis of silicon in a flame of detonating gas (a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen as a result of combustion). The resulting substance does not combine with water. It belongs to the group of hydrophobic substances, since it precipitates without interacting with the liquid, without mixing with it. Here, in a nutshell, is Aerosil. Next, we will get acquainted in more detail with this substance and find out the scope of its application.

Physical and chemical properties

In its structure, the substance Aerosil has spherical particles, with a diameter of 7 to 40 nanometers. If it were possible to put all the particles of matter in a chain, then this length would be enough to get from the Earth to the Moon 17 times.

Obtaining silicon aerosil was first registered in 1942, and since then its implementation has been realized on an industrial scale. And this was due to the wide range of applications of this substance.

Obtaining silicon dioxide is characterized by differentsize range of fine particles, depending on the conditions of chemical reactions. As a result, the physicochemical properties of the substance change, and it is marked with various numbers after its main name. Therefore, after the word "aerosil" there is always a number indicating the size of its particles.

On the outer surface of the latter there are groups of siloxane and silanol, which make Aerosil inert to water. For this reason, it is hydrophobic and has a high chemical resistance to various reagents.

Scope of Aerosil

As previously mentioned, its scope is wide and affects the following areas:

• construction - manufacture of silicates, sealants, varnishes, printing inks, insulating materials, etc.;
• pharmaceuticals - converting liquids into free-flowing powders, making pills, tablets, aerosols, etc. (adsorption properties allow it to be used in medicine);
• cosmetics - making lotions, creams, powders, pastes, etc.;
• food - as supplements.

What is it - aerosil, you can talk for a very long time, but the above is the main area of \u200b\u200buse of this substance.

Construction applications

In the construction industry, the silicon compound improves the physical and mechanical properties of materials. It increases the strength, elasticity, wear resistance and heat resistance of materials, does an excellent job as a thickener and much more. Clear varnishes onbased on polyester resins are also obtained thanks to this substance.

Aerosil enhances the mechanical properties of plastic products, has excellent insulating properties (low thermal conductivity), so it is widely used in materials that insulate cables. In addition to the above, silicon dioxide (aerosil) is used as a pigment stabilizer in the protection against corrosion of metal coatings.

So far, silicon dioxide is simply a unique compound. But what is it - aerosil, in terms of safety for humans? A nice addition to everything is its fire safety and non-toxicity. This compound is absolutely harmless to human he alth or other living beings.

Medical use

And what is Aerosil in pharmaceuticals and medicine? It turns out that colloidal silicon dioxide has good sorption in relation to enzymes, antigens, tissue decay products, various toxins, allergens, microorganisms, and much more. Therefore, it is used topically if necessary in the regeneration of soft tissues and skin (including purulent-inflammatory etiology), as well as inside in case of poisoning, intestinal infections, allergic manifestations, gastrointestinal upset.

This compound is not broken down in the body, is not absorbed by the intestines and is excreted unchanged. But it does not damage the gastric mucosa and remove toxins.

Also, the appointment of drugs containing aerosil is possible in case of violations in metabolic processessubstances, deterioration of the liver and kidneys. He also copes well with the excretion of uric acid, which negatively affects the he althy functioning of the joints.

We must not forget about the abrasive qualities of aerosil. What is it for the common man? This is the elimination of plaque, thanks to the gentle cleaning of the oral cavity with toothpaste.

In conclusion about the unique substance

Today we lifted the veil a little on a unique substance called silicon dioxide. And we hope that you can answer what it is - aerosil. Although it will definitely be difficult to do this, since this is a universal remedy, the scope of which is simply unthinkably huge.

From the pros - it is absolutely safe and harmless to humans, and its many positive properties cannot but interest specialists. On an industrial scale, it will continue to be used, and its scope will only grow year by year.