Hostname: page-component-5c6d5d7d68-tdptf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-08-15T21:54:37.902Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2018

D. J. Tobler ,
L. G. Benning  and
J. Knapp
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
*
*E-mail: tobler@see.leeds.ac.uk
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

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.

Keywords

silica nanoparticlessize distributionhot springs
Type
Research Article
Information
Mineralogical Magazine , Volume 72 , Issue 1 , February 2008 , pp. 287 - 290
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Benning, L.G. and Mountain, B.M. (2004) The silicification of microorganisms: a comparison between in sit experiments in the field and laboratory. Pp. 3–10 in: Water-Rock Interactio. (Wanty, R.B. and Seal, R.R., editors). Taylor and Francis Group, London.Google Scholar
Carroll, S., Mroczek, E., Alai, M. and Ebert, M. (1998) Amorphous silica precipitation (60 to 120°C): Comparison of laboratory and field rates. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Ada, 62, 1379–1396.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Greenberg, A.E., Trussell, R.R. and Clesceri, L. (1985) Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. American Public Health Association, New York, 209 pp.Google Scholar
Gunnarsson, I. and Arnorsson, S. (2000) Amorphous silica solubility and the thermodynamic properties of H4SiO4 in the range of 0 to 350°C at Psat . Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 64, 2295–2307.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Icopini, G.A., Brantley, S.L. and Heaney, PJ. (2005) Kinetics of silica oligomerization and nanocolloid formation as a function of pH and ionic strength at 25°C. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 69, 293–303.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Her, R.K. (1979) The Chemistry of Silica. John Wiley, New York.Google Scholar
Mountain, B.W., Benning, L.G. and Boerema, J. (2003) Experimental studies on New Zealand hot spring sinters: rates of growth and textural development. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 40, 1643–1667.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rimstidt, J.D. and Barnes, H.L. (1980) The kinetics of silica-water reactions. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 44, 1683–1699.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tobler, D.J. (2008) Molecular pathways of silica nanoparticle formation and biosilicification. PhD thesis, University of Leeds, UK.Google Scholar