Silica gel is a granular, transparent and porous form of silicon dioxide, which is artificially produced from sodium silicate.
Silica gel was used in World War I to absorb vapors and gases in gas mask canisters. The artificial production of silica gel was registered by chemistry professors Walter and Patrick at Johns Hopkins University in 1918.
In World War II, silica gel was essential for keeping penicillin dry, protecting military equipment from moisture, as a fluid catalyst for the production of high-octane gasoline, and for supporting catalyst production.
| Properties | Value |
|---|---|
| Molecular mass | 60.08 g/mol |
| Appearance | transparent and odorless seeds |
Application
- Food industries
- Pharmaceutical industries
- Agriculture
- Rubber industries
- Paper making industries
- Power plants and telecommunication industries
- Packaging and shipping
- Telecommunication, electronic and computer equipment and devices
- As a moisture absorbent
- Glass industries
- DNA separator
- Military and aviation industries
Packing
The common dimensions of this material are 1 to 3 mm and 3 to 5 mm, packed in 25 kg bags.
Chemical Formula
- SiO2
Other names
- desiccant
- amorphous silica
- silica