Properties of Nanosilica

Nanosilica commonly has a non-crystalline (amorphous) structure. However, crystalline silica is obtained by grinding quartz. Nanosilica typically has a particle size ranging from 5 to 70 nm and can have a spherical or irregular morphology. The size and shape of silica nanostructures can be adjusted by controlling the synthesis parameters. Nanosilica, like any other nanoparticle, consists of primary particles on the nanoscale. However, due to these particles sticking together and forming aggregates, the dimensions of Nanosilica exceed the nanometer scale. Therefore, all types of Nanosilica can exist on nano and non-nano scales. The hydrophilicity of Nanosilica is attributed to the presence of silanol functional groups, which are able to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. The porosity of silica nanoparticles results in an increased surface area and the emergence of unique properties. Nanosilica structures exhibit good solubility due to their high specific surface area. The surface of Nanosilica can be modified with different functional groups to achieve various goals. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the physical and chemical properties of nanosilica, such as crystal structure, particle size and shape, porosity, chemical purity, surface chemistry, and solubility.