Silica gel is a three-dimensional polymer composed of silicon dioxide units. It has an amorphous structure and very high porosity. This material can form hydrogen bonds and is an effective adsorbent for water, alcohol, phenol, and amine. Silica gel exhibits higher adsorption capacity at low temperatures than other adsorbents, such as alumina and zeolite. Silica gel is widely used as a desiccant to manage and lower local humidity, preventing spoilage and damage to goods such as electronics, food, and medicine while preserving product quality. Research involving the modification of silica gel shows its ability to absorb pollutants. On this basis, silica gel has a wide range of applications in various fields.
- Oil, gas, and petrochemical industries
- Military equipment
- Packaging for bags, shoes, handicrafts, and leather goods
- Pharmaceutical and laboratory materials, including medical diagnostic kits, medicines, and effervescent tablets
- Telecommunication, electronic, and computer equipment and devices
- Antiques and museum items, such as valuable documents, stamp collections, and photographs
- Production of industrial gases, including oxygen and carbon dioxide