Properties and Applications of Silica Nanoparticles

Introduction

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit our website.

Silicon dioxide nanoparticles, also known as silica nanoparticles, are promising for biological applications owing to their excellent biocompatibility, low toxicity, thermal stability, facile synthetic route, and large-scale synthetic availability. The particle size, crystallinity, porosity, and shape can be precisely manipulated, enabling the silica nanoparticles for various applications. Moreover, numerous available surface modifications of silica nanoparticles permit their control of surface chemistry to achieve drug loading, good dispensability, and site-specific targeting. These properties, if combined and developed appropriately, make silica nanoparticles a platform for biomedical imaging, detecting, therapeutic delivery, monitoring, and ablative therapies. With the design of diverse dopants, surface functional groups, and assembly techniques, multifunctional nanoparticles can be developed with theranostic applications. Silica nanoparticles have also widely applied in other areas such as energy source, electronic, sensor, and catalysis purposes.

Properties

Silica nanoparticles are divided into P-type and S-type based on their structure. The former nanoparticles are characterized by numerous nanopores featuring a pore rate of 0.61 ml/g. The latter nanoparticles have a relatively smaller surface area. In contrast to the S-type, the P-type silica nanoparticles manifest a higher ultraviolet reflectivity.

The silica nanoparticles are fabricated via the condensation of silanes to form nanoparticles composed of an amorphous network of silicon and oxygen. The nanoparticles are monodisperse with high stability, and the nanoparticles have narrow size distributions. The density of the nanoparticles is approximately 2 g/cm-3 slightly affected by the degree of condensation. The refractive index is determined to be 1.43. The nanoparticles are well-dispersed in polar solvents like water and ethanol. The nanoparticles can be converted into hydrophobic ones through coupling different silanes to the nanoparticle surface.

Applications

1. Protein adsorption and separation

Owing to the facile preparation, low cost, high specific surface area, and availability of diverse surface functionalization, silica nanoparticles are ideal for specific protein adsorption and separation. For example, Ester-functionalized polypyrrole silica nanoparticles have the ability to bind covalently with human serum albumin (HSA) protein. The resulting HAS functionalized silica nanoparticle can form flocculation when incubating with anti-HAS, and thus diagnostic assays and biosensors can be developed based on the silica nanoparticles.

Recent techniques enable the silica nanoparticle to serve as a solid medium for protein immobilization. On the other hand, silica-coated iron oxide nanoparticles have been utilized for protein binding and separation, taking the advantage of their magnetic properties which afford a simple and fast approach for separation. In this case, the iron oxide magnetic core can respond to external magnetic field, and used for fast particle separation, while the silica shell offers biocompatibility, stability, and a platform for protein entrapment. Such well-designed nanostructure system is very useful for enzyme immobilization, bioseparation, biosensors, and immunoassays.

2. Nucleic acid detection and purification

Silica nanoparticles have also been used for DNA detection, separation and purification. The adsorption of DNA onto the surface of silica nanoparticles is mainly influenced by three effects: weak electrostatic repulsion forces, dehydration, and hydrogen bond formation. Silica nanoparticles are also designed as DNA biosensors by means of their functionalization with oligonucleotides by hybridization with target complementary DNA or RNA probes to obtain variable fluorescent intensity. Just similar to protein separation, silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles are also employed to extract DNA from biological samples.

3. Drug and gene delivery

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Hebei Silicon Research Electronic Materials Co., L.

Mesoporous nanoparticles and surface functionalized nanoparticles are two different types of silica nanoparticles applied as a carrier for drugs and genes delivery. The pores in the nanoparticles provide sites to keep drug molecules, and addition agents like gold nanoparticles, are required as caps to close the pores. To release the drugs, certain molecules that can break the covalent and open the pores are needed. Functionalized silica nanoparticles require good affinity to conjugate with genes. As DNA molecules are negatively charged, thus the silica nanoparticles have to be prepared with positively charged prosperity. Weak interactions are preferable between the functionalized silica nanoparticles and the genes ensure the release of genes.

4. Imaging contrast agents construction

Silica nanoparticles play an important auxiliary role in medical imaging, and they are utilized to encapsulate contrast agents particles, such as organic dyes, quantum dots, gold nanoparticles, iron oxide. Silica nanoparticles are capable of offering outstanding biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity, controllable size with a narrow distribution, and considerable options of surface functionalization. In addition, the silica nanoparticles can be developed as multifunctional tools featured with contrast agents, and drug/gene/protein delivery.

What is SiO2 & Why Should You Care?

Introduction

The science of car care often whittles down to buzz words. A commonly overlooked bit of science is SiO2, found in &#;ceramic&#; car care products.

SiO2, or silicon dioxide, is a natural compound of silicon and oxygen &#; often found as quartz or sand. 95% of SiO2s industrial applications revolve around using this sand for producing concrete.

SiO2 & Car Care

The car care world uses a special form of SiO2 known as hydrophobic silica. Found in ceramic based products, this special SiO2 creates a slick layer with a surface tension that causes water to bead in tight, neat bubbles. The strongly bonded SiO2 nanoparticles safely stick to the surface of paint and clear coats in a layer that prevents liquids from passing through. Water only contacts the tips of these SiO2 nanoparticles, and with nothing to stick to, repel from the surface.

Benefits of SiO2

SiO2&#;s hydrophobic properties come infused in a variety of products, depending on the application. For example, Pearl Nano&#;s Speedcoat is a ceramic waterless car wash infused with SiO2 that lifts dirt away for an easier clean. This lessens paint damage caused by dried water spots and increases visibility if used on glass. Plus, the hydrophobic effect can last for months, or even years, if well maintained.

SiO2 Ceramic Coatings

To be clear, the strength of the hydrophobic and protective properties of SiO2 heavily depends on what the product, amount of SiO2, and the amount of surface area it&#;s applied to. The aforementioned Speedcoat is a ceramic coating maintenance spray and waterless car wash. It doesn&#;t replace regularly cleaning your car with soap and water. Speedcoat primarily makes cleaning easier and for adding a hydrophobic effect.

For improved longevity and protection, we recommend professional-grade ceramic coatings like Extreme and Nano EZ. These coatings incorporate SiO2 by suspending them in resin and require professional application to ensure their proper installation and effectiveness. The ceramic coating chemically bonds to your vehicle, which cures to create a semi-permanent surface. The ceramic coating offers, besides hydrophobic properties, advanced gloss, greater resistance to chemicals or abrasions, and UV blockers that prevent color fade and clear coat oxidation.

Why Should I Care About SiO2

Why you should use SiO2 infused products comes down to what you&#;re looking to get out of it.

For easier car cleaning, Speedcoat is the perfect product to maintain any vehicle. For longer-term beading and sheeting, a DIY spray-on application like Spray-On Ceramic offers an enhanced experience compared to Speedcoat. Finally, to protect your automotive investments against chemicals and abrasions, a ceramic coating with SiO2 is your solution.

For the busy, on-the-go folks, Speedcoat is a great glove-box addition for quick maintenance. For the DIY enthusiast, Spray-On Ceramic is a perfect weekend project. But, for taking advantage of the best SiO2 offers, installing a professional-grade ceramic coating requires a detailing professional; use our detailer locator to find a certified Pearl Nano installer on our website&#;s homepage.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website silicon dioxide nanoparticles.