What is the Difference Between Silica and Silicon Dioxide?

Silica and silicon dioxide are essentially the same compound, but they are used in different contexts. The key difference between silica and silicon dioxide is that silica is the common name for SiO2, while silicon dioxide is the IUPAC name for the compound. Both terms refer to the chemical compound composed of silicon and oxygen with the chemical formula SiO2.

There are different forms of silica, including crystalline and amorphous structures. Crystalline forms of silica include quartz, tridymite, and cristobalite. Amorphous silica, also known as synthetic amorphous silica or SAS, is produced by companies like Evonik Industries and has different characteristic features, such as particle size or surface treatment, creating various properties for different applications.

Some common uses of silicon dioxide include the production of Portland cement, sand casting, hydraulic fracturing, as a precursor to produce glass, making optical fibers for telecommunication, and as a food additive.

In summary, silica and silicon dioxide are the same compound, but the term "silica" is more commonly used in the chemical industry, while "silicon dioxide" is used in chemistry. Both terms refer to the chemical compound SiO2, which can exist in various forms and is used in numerous applications.

Comparative Table: Silica vs Silicon Dioxide

The main difference between silica and silicon dioxide is that silica is the common name for SiO2, while silicon dioxide refers to the purest form of the compound. Both terms describe the same chemical compound, but their usage depends on the context. Here is a comparison table of their differences: