Fumed Silica

Amorphous silica, the noncrystalline form of SiO2, is a transparent to gray, odorless, amorphous powder

Synthetic Amorphous Silica has interesting thickening and thixotropic properties, and an enormous external surface area. It is produced by a vapor phase hydrolysis process using chlorosilanes or substituted silanes such as, silicon tetrachloride in a flame of hydrogen and oxygen. This material is formed and collected in a dry state. This product contains no detectable crystalline silica.

Colloidal silicon dioxide is prepared by the flame hydrolysis of chlorosilanes, such as silicon tetrachloride, at 18008℃ using a hydrogen–oxygen flame. Rapid cooling from the molten state during manufacture causes the product to remain amorphous.

Fumed silica may be synthesized by high temperature hydrolysis of SiCl₄ in O₂(N₂)/H₂ 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.

Colloidal silicon dioxide is widely used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food products. Its small particle size and large specific surface area give it desirable flow characteristics that are exploited to improve the flow properties of dry powders in a number of processes such as tableting and capsule filling.
Colloidal silicon dioxide is also used to stabilize emulsions and as a thixotropic thickening and suspending agent in gels and semisolid preparations. With other ingredients of similar refractive index, transparent gels may be formed. The degree of viscosity increase depends on the polarity of the liquid (polar liquids generally require a greater concentration of colloidal silicon dioxide than nonpolar liquids). Viscosity is largely independent of temperature. However, changes to the pH of a system may affect the viscosity1.
In aerosols, other than those for inhalation, colloidal silicon dioxide is used to promote particulate suspension, eliminate hard settling, and minimize the clogging of spray nozzles. Colloidal silicon dioxide is also used as a tablet disintegrant and as an adsorbent dispersing agent for liquids in powders. Colloidal silicon dioxide is frequently added to suppository formulations containing lipophilic excipients to increase viscosity, prevent sedimentation during molding, and decrease the release rate. Colloidal silicon dioxide is also used as an adsorbent during the preparation of wax microspheres; as a thickening agent for topical preparations; and has been used to aid the freeze-drying of nanocapsules and nanosphere suspensions.

Poison by intraperitoneal, intravenous, and intratracheal routes. Moderately toxic by ingestion. An inhalation hazard. Much less toxic than crystalhe forms. Questionable carcinogen with experimental carcinogenic data. Mutation data reported. Does not cause silicosis. See also other silica entries

Colloidal silicon dioxide is widely used in oral and topical pharmaceutical products and is generally regarded as an essentially nontoxic and nonirritant excipient. However, intraperitoneal and subcutaneous injection may produce local tissue reactions and/or granulomas. Colloidal silicon dioxide should therefore not be administered parenterally.
LD₅₀ (rat, IV): 0.015 g/kg
LD₅₀ (rat, oral): 3.16 g/kg

Amorphous fumed silica is used as a mineral, natural or synthetic fiber. A potential danger to those involved in the production and handling of fumed silica for paint pigments or catalysts. Diatomaceous earth is used in clarifying liquids, in manufacture of fire brick and heat insulators; used as a filtering agent; as a filler in construction materials; pesticides, paints, and varnishes. A potential danger to those involved in mining of diatomaceous earth or fabrication of products there from.

Colloidal silicon dioxide is hygroscopic but adsorbs large quantities of water without liquefying. When used in aqueous systems at a pH 0–7.5, colloidal silicon dioxide is effective in increasing the viscosity of a system. However, at a pH greater than 7.5 the viscosityincreasing properties of colloidal silicon dioxide are reduced; and at a pH greater than 10.7 this ability is lost entirely since the silicon dioxide dissolves to form silicates. Colloidal silicon dioxide powder should be stored in a well-closed container.

Purification of silica for high technology applications uses isopiestic vapour distillation from concentrated volatile acids and is absorbed in high purity water. The impurities remain behind. Preliminary cleaning to remove surface contaminants uses dip etching in HF or a mixture of HCl, H2O2 and deionised water [Phelan & Powell Analyst 109 1299 1984].

Silica, amorphous is a noncombustible solid. Generally unreactive chemically. Incompatible with fluorine, oxygen difluoride, chlorine trifluoride. Soluble in molten alkalis and reacts with most metallic oxides at high temperature.

Sanitary landfill.

GRAS listed. Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (oral capsules, suspensions, and tablets; transdermal, rectal, and vaginal preparations). Also approved by the FDA as a food additive and for food contact. Included in nonparenteral medicines licensed in the UK. Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Nonmedicinal Ingredients.