What is silicic acid?

Silica is a chemical compound composed of silicon and oxygen. It is widely distributed in nature and occurs in various forms, including amorphous (non-crystalline) silica and crystalline silica.

Amorphous silica: Amorphous silica is in the form of silica gel or silica hydrate. It is an amorphous substance consisting of tiny particles and usually has a porous structure. Silica gel is often used in industry and technology, for example as a filler, thickener or binder in coatings, paints, adhesives and cosmetic products. It is also used in the food industry as an additive to improve the texture or stability of food.

Crystalline silica: Crystalline silica occurs in various forms, including quartz, tridymite and cristobalite. These forms differ in their crystal structure and physical properties. Quartz is the most common form of crystalline silica and is used in many industrial applications, such as glass and ceramic manufacturing. It is also a component of many rocks and minerals.

Silica is known for its high resistance to chemical attack and high melting temperature. It also has many uses in industry, such as in electronics as an insulating material, in metallurgy as a slag former, in chemistry as a catalyst, and in the construction industry as a building material.

In certain forms, such as fine dust, silica can be classified as harmful to health and pose potential respiratory risks. Appropriate safety precautions should be taken when handling silica and products containing it.

Occurrence in nature

Silicic acid is found in nature, among other things, as supporting structures of silicic anhydride in plant and animal organisms, such as diatoms and radiolarians and glass sponges (Hexactinellida).

Silicon is an essential trace element, present in every cell, indispensable for many processes in the body and has been shown to activate cell metabolism and cell structure.

In the human body, silicon is significant for various processes:

• Elasticity of connective tissue and tendons
• Skin metabolism (moisture retention)
• Growth of hair and nails
• Bone formation, cartilage health
• Immune system and disease defense
• Cell metabolism and wound healing

Silica in process engineering

The special chemical and physical properties of silica make it a versatile material in various branches of industry:

1. catalyst support: silica is often used as a support material for catalysts. The porous structure and high specific surface area of silica enable efficient distribution of the catalyst material, improving reaction speed and efficiency in chemical processes.
2. adsorbent: silica is used as an adsorbent in separation processes. It can adsorb unwanted impurities or pollutants from liquids or gases, thus improving the purity and quality of the final product.
3. separation techniques: silica is also used in chromatography, for example. Here, the porous structure of silica is used to separate molecules based on their different interactions with the silica.
4. building materials: silica is used in the building materials industry, especially in the production of concrete and mortar. The addition of silica can improve the strength, durability and resistance of concrete.
5. coatings: Silica-based coatings are used in process engineering to protect or seal surfaces or to impart specific properties such as slip resistance or heat resistance. Such coatings are used in various industries, ranging from food processing to the chemical industry.

pharmaceutical applications: In the pharmaceutical industry, silica is used as an excipient in tablets and capsules. It serves as a filler, release agent or flow improver to optimize dosage accuracy, stability and release of active ingredients.