[Industry News] Within the cracking furnaces of petrochemical plants and the sintering kilns of advanced ceramics, sodium (Na) remains a silent assassin. Conventional sodium- or potassium-stabilized silica sols often leave behind alkali metal oxide residues after high-temperature calcination, forming low-melting-point phases that trigger catalyst deactivation via sintering or cause deformation and cracking in ceramic products. As demands for "ionic-level purity" in high-end catalysis and advanced ceramics intensify, sourcing a silica sol that offers
"residue-free volatilization, uniform pore formation, and absolute sodium absence" has become the ultimate pursuit of materials engineers.
Addressing this "high-temperature purity" pain point,
IOTA (Anhui IOTA Silicone Oil Co., Ltd.) officially launches its
Ammonium-Type Silica Sol AM Series (AM3005/AM3010/AM4010/AM4020). By replacing traditional alkali metal ions with "ammonium (NH₄⁺) bases," this series leverages the unique property of ammonium salts decomposing into ammonia and water upon heating. This achieves a revolutionary breakthrough in "clean volatilization and pure pore retention," establishing itself as the "Sodium-Free Cornerstone" for high-end catalyst carriers and advanced ceramic applications.
Four-Core Matrix: Sodium-Free Purity & Precision Porosity
The IOTA AM Series establishes a complete product matrix spanning "low/zero sodium" and "fine/medium/coarse particle sizes," precisely meeting stringent demands for purity and pore structure in various high-temperature processes:
-
AM3005 (SiO₂ 30±1%, Particle Size: 6-9 nm): Ultra-Fine & Sodium-Free – The Micropore Architect.
Its ultra-fine particle size ensures an exceptionally high specific surface area. In catalyst carrier applications, it provides a vast landscape of anchor sites for noble metal active components. In ceramic membranes, it forms a dense microporous structure, making it the premier choice for applications demanding "high dispersion and high flux."
-
AM3010 (SiO₂ 30±1%, Particle Size: 10-15 nm): The Balanced Performer – Universal High-Temperature Binder.
Balancing moderate solid content with fine particle size, it excels in refractory castables and ceramic bonds. The ammonium base volatilizes completely during firing, leaving no alkaline ash. This prevents "low-temperature liquid-phase sintering" in refractories, ensuring dimensional stability of ceramic components.
-
AM4010 (SiO₂ 40±1%, Particle Size: 10-15 nm): High-Concentration Backbone – Preferred for Structural Ceramics.
The 40% solid content imparts strong binding strength to slurries, ideal for dry-pressing or slip-casting of structural ceramics (e.g., alumina, zirconia). The 3D network formed after thermal decomposition significantly enhances green body strength while eliminating the adverse effects of sodium and potassium on ceramic dielectric properties.
-
AM4020 (SiO₂ 40±1%, Particle Size: 20-30 nm): Coarse-Grade Stability – Dedicated to Honeycomb Ceramics.
Featuring larger particles combined with high solids, it performs exceptionally in manufacturing complex-shaped carriers like honeycomb and foam ceramics. It effectively controls slurry rheology and sedimentation rates, ensuring uniform cell wall thickness. Post-calcination, it leaves behind smooth pore surfaces that minimize fluid flow resistance.
Hardcore Mechanism: Thermal Decomposition, Pure Porosity
The core technology of the AM Series lies in
"Ammonium Thermal Decomposition." Unlike conventional alkali metal stabilizers, the ammonium ions (NH₄⁺) in the AM series undergo complete decomposition into
ammonia (NH₃) and
water (H₂O) during the
150-300°C heating phase. This process delivers two disruptive advantages:
-
Absolute Sodium-Free Integrity: The final product is a pure SiO₂ network, with Na₂O content strictly controlled at ≤0.1%, leaving zero alkali metal residues at high temperatures.
-
Controlled Porogen Effect: The escape pathways of gases produced during ammonium salt decomposition, combined with the interstitial pores from nanoparticle packing, create a unique "Bimodal Pore Structure." This significantly optimizes mass transfer efficiency within catalysts.
Application Scenarios: From Catalytic Cracking to Electronic Ceramics
Currently, the AM Series is deeply integrated into
petroleum Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC), environmental DeNOx catalysts, alumina structural ceramics, honeycomb ceramic carriers, and electronic ceramic substrates. Whether enabling long-cycle FCC catalysts in refineries or supporting Low-Temperature Co-fired Ceramics (LTCC) in 5G base stations, IOTA Ammonium-Type Silica Sol silently upholds every sintering process with its commitment to "zero residue at high temperatures."
Industry Expert Insight:
Experts note that under the "Dual Carbon" goals, extending catalyst lifespan and ensuring ceramic reliability are crucial for carbon emission reduction. The launch of the IOTA AM Series fundamentally resolves the issue of "chronic alkali poisoning" in high-temperature materials. This launch represents not just a new product introduction but a practical implementation of a "green, pure, and efficient" materials philosophy. It signifies that domestic silicon-based materials have attained internationally leading innovation capabilities in the high-end high-temperature applications sector.
