20–200 nm dry powder
Sub-200 nm carrier-free pathway for users with controlled nanopowder handling and redispersion capability.
Carrier-free material
Dry silica offers formulation freedom with a higher control burden.
Applied Physics currently presents dry silica pathways spanning a 20–200 nm family and a broader approximately 100 nm–2.5 µm family. Exact sizes, packaging, morphology, surface, purity and certificate fields must be confirmed.
100 nm–2.5 µm dry silica
Broader dry-size pathway for research, formulation and application-specific evaluation.
Hydrophobic powder
Surface-modified pathway when native hydrophilic silica does not fit the matrix.
Powder specification
Request more than particle size and grams.
| Field | Why it matters | Verification |
|---|---|---|
| Primary particle / aggregate definition | Controls what the size value represents | Method-specific certificate and morphology |
| Surface area and porosity | Can dominate formulation and adsorption behavior | Product-specific analytical data when required |
| Surface treatment | Controls wetting and matrix compatibility | Treatment identity and evidence |
| Moisture / volatiles | Affects mass, flow and preparation | Storage and product-specific limits |
| Purity / residuals | Critical in optical, semiconductor and sensitive formulations | Application-specific impurity statement |
| Bulk behavior | Flow, electrostatics and dusting affect transfer | Validated handling procedure |
Redispersion development
Prove the final state—not just the starting powder.
- Select the carrier and surface chemistry from the downstream matrix.
- Define containment, weighing and transfer controls.
- Set wetting, addition order and initial mixing.
- Define energy input, time and temperature limits.
- Measure effective size, distribution and stability.
- Confirm application response and acceptable hold time.
Safety
Control dry engineered particles at the source.
Use closed transfer, containment or local exhaust as appropriate; minimize energetic dry handling; use HEPA-filtered cleanup methods where the assessment calls for them; and follow the exact SDS and institutional procedure. Never use compressed air or dry sweeping to clean an uncontrolled nanopowder spill.
Questions engineers ask
Frequently asked questions
Does dry silica powder contain isolated primary particles?
Do not assume so. Drying can create aggregates or agglomerates, and the effective population after redispersion must be characterized.
Can I weigh nanoscale silica powder on an open bench?
Use the SDS and a formal exposure assessment. Engineered nanopowders often require containment or local-exhaust controls.
Sources and verification
Technical basis
- Applied Physics 20–200 nm silica powder — Current sub-200 nm dry pathway.
- Applied Physics broader dry silica — Current 100 nm–2.5 µm public pathway.
- NIOSH nanomaterial handling — Occupational-control guidance for engineered nanopowders.
Commercial specifications should be confirmed against the current Applied Physics quotation, certificate, lot documentation and product page before purchase or protocol use.
Continue the research
Related technical guidance
Dry powder vs. suspension
Compare processing and exposure burdens.
Functionalized silica
Select surface-treated powders.
Storage and safety
Build storage, transfer and spill controls.
Applied Physics technical pathway
Need a particle specification reviewed?
Send the target size, medium, concentration, application, certificate requirements and shipping destination. Applied Physics can evaluate the appropriate silica family or custom pathway.