The Invention of Silica Gel: A Revolutionary Material That Changed the World
Silica gel is an inorganic polymer material composed of silicon dioxide and water1. It was invented by Walter A. Patrick, a chemistry professor at Johns Hopkins University in the United States, in 1919. During World War I, silica gel was used as an absorbent in gas masks. The chemical composition and physical structure of silica gel determine that it has many characteristics that are difficult to replace with other similar materials, such as high adsorption performance, good thermal stability, stable chemical properties, and high mechanical strength. The application of silica gel is becoming more and more extensive. In addition to its use in gas masks and military fields, silica gel products are widely used in electronics, medical, food, and other fields. The application scenarios of silica gel include but are not limited to:
- Used as a desiccant, humidity regulator, deodorant, etc. in households.
- Used as an oil and hydrocarbon decolorizer, catalyst carrier, voltage absorption adsorbent, etc. in industry.
- Used as a separation agent, filler, lubricant, waterproofing agent, etc. in fine chemicals.
The application scenarios of silica gel are still expanding, such as in construction, automotive, aerospace, cosmetics, and other fields. The invention and application of silica gel have made important contributions to the development of human society.
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