I need to use spherical particles for calibration of an impactor. I came across a company who sells silica particles of the size of my interest but they claim a density of 1,8 g/cc. Crystalline silica has a density of 2.65 g/cc. Any idea of the reason of the difference? Any experience with synthetized spheres?
Are you talking about nano silica particles or Micron sized particles. Usually for micron size particles, supplier provide different densities i.e. apparent density (~35% of bulk) and tap density (~60% of bulk). For nano sized particles, these densities are really low.
Thanks for the reply and you are most likely right. These are micron sphere (600 nm and 400 nm geometric diamenter) in the aerodynamic range. I tested them with an aerodynamic particle sizer and the particle density is in fact 2.65 g/cc.
There is indeed a difference between crystalline and amorphous silica. Silica particles prepared by Stöber method are in density range 1.8 - 2.2. When we made no mistake we just determined a density for Aerosil close to 1.7. Anybody has values for Aerosil 360 for comparison?
Titus,
Thanks for the comment. The geometric/aerodynamic diameter comparison for these particles seems to indicate a density of 2.65 g/cc. I will contact the manufacturer to shed some light.
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