In order to improve the clarity of the product portfolio, Nouryon (formerly AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals), manufacturer of silica sols Levasil® / Bindzil/ Cembinder, has decided to unite silica product lines under the single brand name:
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Levasil® Colloidal Silica
Since June 1, 2016 products of Nouryon (formerly AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals) are available under new product names. This has already been implemented in the following overviews. Please note that this is only a change of names - quality and characteristics of the products remain unchanged.
Silica sols are aqueous, solvent-free, low-odour, colloidal solutions of amorphous silicon dioxide (SiO2) with particle sizes from 5 nm to 100 nm.
Because of the special manufacturing process the silica comes in the form of free, non-crosslinked, single spherical particles that have a negative charge in anionic sols, which are stabilised by very small amounts of cations (typically sodium). This is in contrast with the cationic silica sols, which consist of cationic-charged silica sol particles through a specific chemical modification.
Typically, these preparations have a narrow particle size distribution, high density, low viscosity and no discernible separation tendency. In contrast to re-dispersed solids, silica sols manage without the use of auxiliaries such as dispersants, emulsifiers or thickening agents.
While the coarse silica sols present milky cloudy liquids, the finely particled silica sols from about 200 m²/g are relatively clear, opalescent liquids.
Stability
Effects of pH change
The higher the concentration or the smaller the particle size, the greater the effect pH change will have on gelation time and stability. Silica Sol is very stable in the 2-4 and 8-10 pH ranges as illustrated in the diagram below. If a formulation or coating system has a neutral pH, or the formulation requires a Silica Sol with greater stability.
When the pH exceeds 10.5 with a strong alkali, such as caustic soda or sodium silicate, coagulation and dissolution of the silica particles occurs.
Long chain amines tend to cause Silica Sol to gel, but ethylamine, morpholine and other similar amines tend to stabilize the sol. Silica Sol maintains its stability for a fairly long time even when the pH of an alkaline Silica Sol grade is lowered by the addition of an acid. However, the gelation time differs with the kind of acids used for pH adjustment. The gelation time when the pH is changed by adding hydrochloric acid and acetic acid is shown below. Organic acids tend to provide better stability in terms of gelation time, depending on the SiO2 concentration and particle size.
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Effects of salts and electrolytes
Polyvalent metal ions will cause Silica Sol to gelate. This is because the polyvalent ions interfer with the surface charge of the Silica Sol. The resulting charge imbalance causes the particles to agglomerate. The surface charge maintains the Silics Sol stability. The degree of gelation is not uniform, and varies depending on the type, concentration, temperature, etc. of the electrolyte used. Monovalent salts react slowly, but polyvalent salts such as alum, react quickly at pH 9 and higher. When the pH is lowered, the effect of alum and magnesium sulfate decreases. This electrolytic effect on Silica Sol is useful to speed up or slow down the gelation. The gelation time of SilicaSol at 52° C with addition of sodium chloride and sulfate are depicted below.
Compatibility with organic solvents
Alcohol, acetone and other polarized solvents can be mixed with Silica Sol. However, there is a mixing limit and gelation may occur. The compatibility with alcohol when the pH is changed is shown below as an example. Silica Sol can be mixed with alcohol at any proportion.
Compatibility with surfactants
Generally, RXSOL Silica Sol is compatible with anionic and nonionic surfactants. Compatibility is dependent on impurities and the composition of the surfactant. Incompatibility may cause the Silica Sol to gel or agglomerate. Therefore, it is important to select the surfactant carefully. Silica Sol is compatible with a wide range of surfactants.
Compatibility with emulsion resins and water soluble resins
Silica Sol is compatible with emulsion resins and water soluble resins having the same pH and electric charge. In the case of emulsion resin, gelation and separation may occur depending on which emulsifier is used. Therefore, it is important to select the emulsifier carefully. Silica Sol is also compatible with a wide range of emulsifiers.
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