Silica gel

Silica Gel

Silica gel (pronunciation: /ˈsɪlɪkə dʒɛl/) is a type of Desiccant that is synthesized from Silicon dioxide.

Etymology

The term "silica gel" is derived from the words "silicon" and "gel". "Silicon" is a chemical element with the symbol Si and atomic number 14. The word "gel" refers to a semi-solid state that can have properties ranging from soft and weak to hard and tough.

Description

Silica gel is a granular, vitreous, porous form of silicon dioxide made synthetically from Sodium silicate. It is a solid substance that is extremely porous, making it capable of adsorbing high amounts of water, which makes it useful as a desiccant (drying agent). Silica gel is most commonly encountered in everyday life as beads packed in a semi-permeable plastic.

Uses

Silica gel is used in various fields for its ability to absorb moisture. It is commonly used in Packaging to control humidity and prevent spoilage of goods. In the Pharmaceutical industry, silica gel packets are often found in the packaging of certain medications to keep them dry. It is also used in the preservation of documents and textiles, and in the preparation of certain samples for Microscopy.

Related Terms

• Desiccant
• Silicon dioxide
• Sodium silicate
• Packaging
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Microscopy

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Silica gel
• Wikipedia's article - Silica gel

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