With the continuous advancement of technology and the sustained development of the global economy, as an important inorganic fine chemical product, the market demand and application fields of gas-phase silica are constantly expanding. Recently, the latest developments and innovative technologies in the gas-phase silica industry have attracted widespread attention.
According to industry data, it is expected that the global market size of gas-phase silica will exceed 5.84 billion yuan by 2024, a year-on-year increase of 13%. This growth trend is mainly due to the widespread application of gas-phase silica in various fields, including organic silicon elastomer reinforcing agents, silicone resins, coatings and inks, adhesives, synthetic resins, etc. In China, although the gas-phase silica industry started late, it has developed rapidly and has become one of the important production and consumption markets worldwide.
Gas phase silica, also known as gas-phase white carbon black, is a nanoscale amorphous particle formed by high-temperature treatment of silicon halides with hydrogen oxygen flame. This substance has the characteristics of small particle size, large specific surface area, high surface activity, and good dispersibility, thus exhibiting excellent performance in many fields. For example, in the rubber and plastic industries, fumed silica can serve as a reinforcing agent, significantly improving the strength and wear resistance of materials; In the coatings and ink industry, it can improve the dispersibility and flowability of products, enhance the adhesion and glossiness of coatings.
In addition to its wide range of applications, innovative technologies in the gas-phase silica industry are also constantly breaking through. Recently, domestic researchers have successfully developed a new testing method - reactive gas chromatography, which is used to quickly and accurately determine the content of silicon hydroxyl groups on the surface of gas-phase silica. This innovative achievement not only improves the quality control level of gas-phase silica products, but also promotes innovation and progress in the gas-phase silica industry. This testing method has been officially released as an ISO international standard in 2021, namely ISO 23157:2021 "Determination of Silicon Hydroxyl Groups on Gas Phase Silica Surface - Reactive Gas Chromatography Method".
In addition, the production process of gas-phase silica is constantly being optimized. Taking the production of gas-phase white carbon black as an example, its raw materials are simple, mainly including silane halides and combustible gases. In terms of process, halogenated silane is first vaporized and then enters the reactor for hydrolysis reaction at high temperature, followed by aggregation, separation, deacidification and other processes. The entire production process is completed in a continuous and sealed system, effectively preventing external pollution and ensuring the purity and quality of the product.
It is worth noting that the regional layout of the gas-phase silica industry also presents obvious characteristics. In China, major production enterprises are mainly concentrated in the East China region, including Hubei, Xinjiang, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi. The industrial cluster effect in these regions is significant, providing strong support for the development of the gas-phase silica industry.
With the continuous development of the gas-phase silica industry, its market competition is becoming increasingly fierce. In order to maintain a leading position in the market, enterprises need to continuously improve product quality and technological level, strengthen research and development innovation, and expand application areas. At the same time, the government should also increase its support for the gas-phase silica industry, promote industrial upgrading and transformation, and create a favorable environment for the sustainable development of the industry.
Looking ahead, the gas-phase silica industry will continue to maintain a rapid growth trend. With the continuous advancement of technology and the expansion of application fields, gas-phase silica will play an important role in more fields, bringing more convenience and beauty to people's lives. At the same time, competition within the industry will become more intense, and companies need to continuously improve their own strength to cope with market challenges and opportunities.