Preparation and characterization of precipitated zinc silicates

The study aimed to obtain highly dispersed particles of zinc silicate, a potential filler of polymers or a paint pigment, by precipitation from solutions of sodium metasilicate and of zinc salts. The technique of silicate precipitation was worked out, and the conditions causing precipitation were optimized. The temperature, sodium metasilicate solution flow rate and concentration of zinc salts were selected so as to obtain silicates of the lowest possible bulk density, and which had low water-absorbing capacity and high paraffin oil-absorbing capacity. In the study, the effects of precipitation parameters were examined on the principal physicochemical properties of the silicates, the structure and uniform character of silicate particles, particle size distribution, and the surface morphology. Particular attention was devoted to the particle size distribution and the tendency to form primary agglomerates (aggregates) and secondary agglomerates, using dynamic light scattering (DLS). Studies were undertaken to develop a technique which could prevent formation of silicate particle agglomerates. With this aim, the silicates' surface was modified either during their precipitation or by the so-called dry technique. For the modification, silane coupling agents were applied. The extent of silicate surface hydrophobicity was examined by estimation of the enthalpies of immersion of the modified silicate surface. The silicates obtained were tested as fillers of rubber mixtures (in butadiene-styrene rubber). (C) 2003 Society of Chemical Industry.