Fumed silica may be synthesized by high temperature hydrolysis of SiCl 4 in O 2 (N 2 )/H 2 flame. It is amorphous in nature and possesses very high specific area. The micro droplets of amorphous silica fuse into a branch and form a chain like agglomerate.
Application
Fumed silica is used to deplete lipids and hormones in Taqman assays of human hepatoma cells HuH-7 and human liver cell line HepG2. Preparation of epoxidized natural rubber/fumed silica composites have been reported. Interaction of Gemini surfactant C12-s-C122Br with aqueous suspension of fumed silica has been studied. Fumed silica based nanocomposites reinforced with organo clay may be prepared. TiO 2 /fumed silica porous ceramic material was used to prepare photocatalytic materials.
Other Notes
Particle sizes are for primary particles, which form branched, chain-like aggregates a few tenths of a micron long.