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The size and polydispersity of silica nanoparticles under simulated hot spring conditions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2018

D. J. Tobler*
Affiliation:
Earth and Biosphere Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
L. G. Benning
Affiliation:
Earth and Biosphere Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
J. Knapp
Affiliation:
Institute of Integrative and Comparative Biology, Faculty of Biological Science, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
*

Abstract

The nucleation and growth of silica nanoparticles in supersaturated geothermal waters was simulated using a flow-through geothermal simulator system. The effect of silica concentration ([SiO2]), ionic strength (IS), temperature (T) and organic additives on the size and polydispersity of the forming silica nanoparticles was quantified. A decrease in temperature (58 to 33°C) and the addition of glucose restricted particle growth to sizes <20 nm, while varying [SiO2] or ISdid not affect the size (30—35 nm) and polydispersity (±9 nm) observed at 58°C. Conversely, the addition of xanthan gum induced the development of thin films that enhanced silica aggregation.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2008

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