What is the particle size distribution typically found in neutral colloidal silica?

The particle size distribution of neutral colloidal silica, also known as silica sol, can vary depending on the manufacturing process and the specific product formulation. However, in general, neutral colloidal silica particles have a relatively narrow size distribution with most particles falling within a certain range. The typical particle size distribution of neutral colloidal silica can be described as follows:

Primary Particle Size: The primary particle size of neutral colloidal silica is often in the nanometer range. It can vary from approximately 2 nanometers (nm) to 100 nm, with the majority of particles falling within this range.

Monodisperse or Polydisperse: Some neutral colloidal silica products are monodisperse, meaning that the particles have a very uniform size distribution with minimal variation. Others may be polydisperse, where there is a slightly broader range of particle sizes but still with a predominant peak within the nanometer scale.

Distribution Width: The width of the particle size distribution curve, known as the distribution width or polydispersity index, can be relatively narrow for many neutral colloidal silica products. A low polydispersity index indicates a narrow size distribution.

D50 Value: The D50 value, often used to represent the median particle size, is typically within the nanometer range. For example, a neutral colloidal silica product may have a D50 value of around 10 nm, indicating that half of the particles have a diameter smaller than 10 nm.

Tail Distribution: In some cases, there may be a small percentage of particles with sizes slightly outside the main distribution, but they are typically a minority of the total particles.

The specific particle size distribution can vary from one manufacturer to another and from one product grade to another within the same manufacturer's offerings. Customers often select a particular neutral colloidal silica product based on their application requirements, and this may include considerations of particle size, distribution width, and other properties that impact performance.

It's important to consult the Silica Sol manufacturer's product specifications and technical data sheets for precise information about the particle size distribution of a particular neutral colloidal silica product, as this information can be critical for applications such as coatings, catalysts, and more.