• Appearance: Free flowing dry white powder
• Particle Sizes: d50=2-4um or d50=4-8um
• Spherical Particles: >99%
• Density: ~1.9-2.2g/cc
• Loss on Drying: 5% maximum
• Oil Absorption: 140g ± 20g per 100g of sample
• No Pathogens
• Coating: Optional Silicone Coating (Dimethylpolysiloxane)
• Coating assures spheres to be floating on the distilled water for more than 1 hour

Polydisperse silica microspheres, which are silica particles with a wide range of sizes and size distributions, have a variety of applications in different fields. While their lack of uniformity may limit their use in some precision applications, their versatility makes them valuable in various contexts. Here are some applications of polydisperse silica microspheres:

1. Particle Size Analysis: Polydisperse silica microspheres are commonly used as calibration standards for particle size analysis instruments, such as laser diffraction analyzers and electron microscopes. Their wide size distribution allows for the calibration and validation of instruments across a broad size range.
2. Fluid Mechanics and Rheology: Researchers use polydisperse silica microspheres to study fluid behavior, including sedimentation, viscosity, and flow behavior. These microspheres are valuable for characterizing the rheological properties of fluids and testing the effectiveness of additives.
3. Emulsions and Suspensions: Polydisperse silica microspheres can be used as stabilizers in emulsions and suspensions. Their varying sizes can help prevent settling or creaming of particles or droplets, leading to improved stability.
4. Pharmaceuticals: In drug formulation and delivery, polydisperse silica microspheres can be employed to create controlled-release drug products. The diverse sizes can result in different release rates, allowing for tailored drug delivery profiles.
5. Optics and Photonics: In optical applications, polydisperse silica microspheres can be used to scatter light, create diffraction patterns, or manipulate light for specific effects, including holography and microscopy.
6. Sedimentation Studies: Environmental and geological researchers use polydisperse microspheres as tracers to study sedimentation processes in water bodies or sediment transport in natural environments.
7. Biological Research: Polydisperse silica microspheres find applications in biology and life sciences, including cell sorting, calibration of flow cytometers, and as reference materials in microscopy.
8. Environmental Monitoring: In environmental monitoring and pollution studies, polydisperse silica microspheres can be used as tracers to simulate pollutants and track their dispersion in air or water, aiding in pollution control and remediation efforts.
9. Materials Science: Researchers in materials science may incorporate polydisperse silica microspheres into composites to investigate and modify their mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. These microspheres can serve as fillers to enhance specific characteristics.
10. Analytical Chemistry: Polydisperse silica microspheres are used in analytical chemistry for calibration and validation purposes, especially when analyzing samples with a broad size distribution. They help ensure the accuracy and precision of analytical instruments.

While polydisperse silica microspheres may not be suitable for applications requiring a high degree of size uniformity, they offer versatility across a wide range of industries and research areas due to their diverse size distribution. However, it's essential to consider the potential impact of this distribution on the desired outcome in each application.

Some applications might require the use of monodisperse silica microspheres, which are significantly more expensive. Cost/benefit analysis needs to take place to evaluate how much of a particle size distribution can be allowed without influencing the outcome of the project or process.

Characterization and Optimization of Temperature-Sensitive Microbeads for Simultaneous Thermometry and Velocimetry for Fluid Dynamic Applications