Silica spheres are manufactured using proprietary technologies which allow the essential properties of amorphous silica to be maintained while simultaneously achieving controlled spherical shape and uniform particle size.
Untreated silica spheres are typically hydrophilic and negatively charged. However, these parameters are not fixed, and might vary depending on the properties system the spheres are incorporated into.
- Non-porous
- Density: ~2.0g/cc
- Particles in Size Range: CV<10%
- Spherical Particles: >95%
- Structure: amorphous
- Purity: >99.9%
- Refractive Index: ~1.4
- Surface Area: 2-6 m^2/g
Monodisperse silica microspheres, which are silica particles with a uniform size and shape distribution, have several specialized applications due to their precisely controlled properties. Here are some notable applications of monodisperse silica microspheres:
- Chromatography: Monodisperse silica microspheres are commonly used as stationary phases in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC) columns. Their uniform size and shape distribution lead to improved separation efficiency and resolution in analytical chemistry.
- Calibration Standards: Monodisperse silica microspheres are used as calibration standards for particle size analysis instruments, such as laser diffraction analyzers and electron microscopes. Their known size makes them ideal for validating and calibrating these instruments.
- Biotechnology and Life Sciences: Monodisperse silica microspheres can be functionalized with specific molecules, making them suitable for applications like immunoassays, cell sorting, and drug delivery. Their uniform size allows for consistent and reproducible results.
- Microfluidics: In microfluidic devices, monodisperse silica microspheres can be used as channel fillers and flow regulators. They help control fluid flow and can be functionalized to interact with biological molecules or cells for various lab-on-a-chip applications.
- Photonic Crystals: Monodisperse silica microspheres have been employed in the fabrication of photonic crystals. By arranging them in periodic structures, they can manipulate and control the flow of light, leading to applications in optical filters, waveguides, and sensors.
- Microsensors: They are used as building blocks for microsensors, including chemical and biological sensors. Functionalized monodisperse silica microspheres can be tailored to detect specific analytes with high sensitivity and selectivity.
- Nanotechnology: Monodisperse silica microspheres can serve as templates for the synthesis of nanoparticles and nanocomposites with controlled size and morphology. They are used in the creation of nanoscale materials for various applications.
- Catalysis: Monodisperse silica microspheres can be functionalized with catalytic materials and used as catalyst supports. Their uniform size distribution ensures consistent catalytic activity and selectivity.
- Advanced Materials: Monodisperse silica microspheres are used in the development of advanced materials such as photovoltaics, nanocomposites, and functional coatings.
The precision and uniformity of monodisperse silica microspheres make them valuable tools in scientific research, industry, and technology development, enabling the creation of more reliable and consistent products and processes across a wide range of fields.