Introduction
In the vast world of materials science, white carbon black is like a low-key but shining star. Although not as dazzling as metals, it plays an indispensable role in many industrial products due to its unique properties and wide range of applications. White carbon black, scientific name silica (SiO ₂), is named after its white powder appearance, high specific surface area, and porous structure. It has become an important additive in various industries such as rubber, plastics, coatings, inks, etc. due to its excellent properties of reinforcement, thickening, and anti settling.
http://https://baitanhei.iotasilica.com/

Preparation process of white carbon black
The preparation methods of white carbon black are mainly divided into two categories: physical methods and chemical methods, among which chemical methods can be further divided into gas-phase methods and precipitation methods.


gas phase method
Gas phase white carbon black is produced by high-temperature hydrolysis of silicon tetrachloride (SiCl ₄) in a hydrogen oxygen flame. At high temperatures, silicon tetrachloride reacts violently with hydrogen and oxygen to produce silicon dioxide and hydrogen chloride gas. The generated silica particles are extremely small, and after subsequent processing such as aggregation and deacidification, high-purity and high specific surface area gas-phase white carbon black is finally obtained. The white carbon black prepared by this method has the advantages of small particle size, large specific surface area, high surface activity, and good purity. However, the production process consumes a lot of energy and is costly. It is mainly used in fields that require extremely high performance, such as silicone rubber and high-end coatings.


Precipitation method
Precipitation method white carbon black is produced by using sodium silicate (Na ₂ SiO ∝) and inorganic acids (such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.) as raw materials, which undergo chemical reactions in solution to form precipitates, and then go through processes such as filtration, washing, drying, and crushing. By controlling reaction conditions such as reaction temperature, pH, and raw material concentration, the particle size, specific surface area, and pore structure of white carbon black can be adjusted. The production process of precipitated white carbon black is relatively simple, with low cost and large output, and is widely used in rubber products, tires, shoe materials and other fields.


Performance characteristics of white carbon black
Reinforcement performance
White carbon black has a high specific surface area and porous structure, which can form good physical and chemical bonds with rubber molecules, significantly improving the strength, hardness, wear resistance, and tear resistance of rubber. In tire manufacturing, adding an appropriate amount of white carbon black can reduce the rolling resistance of tires, improve fuel economy, enhance the wet grip of tires, and improve driving safety.


Thickening properties
The porous structure of white carbon black gives it strong adsorption ability, which can adsorb liquid media and form a three-dimensional network structure, thereby increasing the viscosity of the system. In industries such as coatings and inks, white carbon black can be used as a thickener to regulate the rheological properties of products, prevent pigment settling, and improve product stability and workability.


Anti settlement performance
Due to its high specific surface area and surface activity, white carbon black can adsorb onto the surface of pigment particles, forming a protective film that prevents mutual aggregation and sedimentation between pigment particles. In the fields of coatings, cosmetics, etc., adding white carbon black can effectively prevent product delamination and precipitation, maintain product uniformity and stability.


Insulation performance
White carbon black has good insulation properties and high electrical resistivity, which can effectively prevent the conduction of current. In the electronic and electrical industry, white carbon black can be used to manufacture insulation materials, cable fillers, etc., to improve the insulation performance and safety of products.


Application areas of white carbon black
rubber industry
The rubber industry is the largest application area of white carbon black, accounting for over 70% of the total consumption of white carbon black. In tire manufacturing, white carbon black can partially or completely replace carbon black as a reinforcing agent, significantly improving the performance of tires. Compared with carbon black, tires reinforced with white carbon black have lower rolling resistance, better wet grip, and higher wear resistance, which meets the requirements of modern tires for energy conservation, environmental protection, and safety. In addition, white carbon black is widely used in rubber products such as shoe materials, hoses, and tapes to improve product quality and performance.


coating industry
In the coating industry, white carbon black is mainly used as a matting agent, thickening agent, and anti settling agent. As a matting agent, white carbon black can form a micro rough structure on the surface of coatings, reduce the glossiness of coatings, and achieve the effect of matting. As a thickener and anti settling agent, white carbon black can regulate the rheological properties of coatings, prevent pigment settling, and improve the stability and application performance of coatings. In addition, white carbon black can also improve the weather resistance, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance of coatings.


Ink industry
In the ink industry, white carbon black is mainly used to improve the dispersibility, stability, and printing performance of ink. The porous structure of white carbon black can adsorb pigments and binders in ink, prevent the aggregation and sedimentation of pigment particles, and make the ink have good fluidity and dispersibility. Meanwhile, white carbon black can also increase the thixotropy of ink, improving the quality and clarity of printed materials.


Other areas
In addition to the main application areas mentioned above, white carbon black also has a wide range of applications in industries such as plastics, cosmetics, food, and medicine. In the plastic industry, white carbon black can be used as a filler and reinforcing agent to improve the strength, hardness, and heat resistance of plastics. In cosmetics, white carbon black can be used as a powdery raw material with good oil absorption and smoothness. In the food and pharmaceutical industries, white carbon black can be used as an anti caking agent, adsorbent, and carrier to ensure product quality and stability.


The development trend of white carbon black
Green environmental protection
With the continuous improvement of environmental awareness, the white carbon black industry is also developing towards green environmental protection. On the one hand, developing low-energy and low pollution preparation processes to reduce waste emissions and energy consumption during the production process; On the other hand, developing biodegradable and recyclable white carbon black products can reduce their impact on the environment. For example, some companies are researching the use of biomass raw materials to prepare white carbon black and achieve sustainable resource utilization.


high-performance
In order to meet the higher requirements of different industries for the performance of white carbon black, researchers are constantly developing high-performance white carbon black products. By improving the preparation process and optimizing surface modification techniques, the specific surface area, pore structure, and surface activity of white carbon black are increased, making it have better reinforcement, thickening, and anti settling properties. For example, the specific surface area of gas-phase white carbon black continues to increase, reaching over 300m ²/g, providing higher quality materials for high-end application fields.


functionalization
In addition to traditional performance, white carbon black has been endowed with more functions, such as antibacterial, fireproof, conductive, etc. By loading specific functional substances such as metal ions, nanoparticles, etc. on the surface of white carbon black, it can have special functions and expand the application fields of white carbon black. For example, antibacterial white carbon black can be applied in fields such as healthcare and food packaging, effectively inhibiting the growth and reproduction of bacteria.


Conclusion
White carbon black, as an important inorganic chemical product, plays a crucial role in industrial development due to its unique properties and wide range of applications. With the continuous advancement of technology and the increasing demand for environmental protection, the white carbon black industry will usher in new development opportunities and challenges. In the future, white carbon black will develop towards green environmental protection, high performance, and functionalization, providing better and more efficient products and services for various industries, and becoming an important force in promoting industrial progress. We have reason to believe that in the continuous exploration and innovation of materials science, the "invisible champion" of white carbon black will continue to shine even brighter.