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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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