What are the characteristics of Quartz?

Quartz is a colloidal solution, odorless, non-toxic, with a molecular formula represented as mSiO2.H2O, and appears as a milky white or light blue semi-transparent liquid. Quartz has colloidal properties, with particles resembling spheres and carrying negative charges. Its stability and kinetic stability are endowed by three major factors: ξ potential, Brownian motion, and sufficient solvent barrier. However, the colloidal particles are in a meta-stable phase, always exhibiting a tendency for spontaneous aggregation. If any of the three stability factors are weakened, it will automatically aggregate, forming a gel or sediment. Once Quartz aggregates into a gel, it cannot be reverted back to a sol by heating or adding solvents, making it an irreversible colloid.

Generally, the larger the surface area, the larger the surface energy. The Quartz system is an unstable system with a large surface energy, showing a tendency to reduce surface energy spontaneously, easily leading small particles to aggregate into larger ones, even forming a gel. There are many factors influencing the stability of Quartz, such as electrolytes, temperature, concentration, pH, and particle size. The pH value has a significant impact on the stability of Quartz, which is more stable in alkaline range (pH 9.5-10.5) and some acidic range (pH 2~4).

Characteristics of Quartz

The finished Quartz is generally divided into alkaline Quartz and acidic Quartz, with alkaline Quartz being more stable and widely used. The mass fraction of SiO2 is usually 10%~40%, with particle sizes ranging from 5~100nm and a specific surface area of 50~400m2/g.

The extensive application of Quartz in scientific research and various industrial fields is closely related to its performance characteristics. Quartz possesses many excellent properties such as large specific surface area, high adsorption capacity, high dispersion (from several nanometers to tens of nanometers), and high refractory insulation, leading to the following features:

① Silica gel particles adhered to solid surfaces can increase the friction coefficient;

② No curing agent is needed, as it can firmly adhere to solid surfaces and form a strong film on its own, with a low film-forming temperature;

③ Solid gel can be formed through drying or sintering, thus having a certain durability;

④ It can form gels with large and uniformly distributed pores, as well as evenly disperse powders, enhancing the stability of suspensions;

⑤ By utilizing Si-OH groups and adsorbed water, it can improve wetting and antistatic properties;

⑥ It can be immersed to fill porous materials, making the surface smooth;

⑦ By uniformly mixing particles, it can enhance the modification of organic resins in terms of mechanical, optical, and electrical properties;

⑧ Sol is a liquid system capable of homogeneous reactions. By using Quartz instead of silica as a raw material for reactions, the reaction rate can be increased.

With its many excellent properties and characteristics, Quartz is widely used in industries such as chemical, materials, textile/papermaking, electronics, as a fine chemical product.