colloidal silicon dioxide

Colloidal silicon dioxide (SiO2), also known as fumed silica, is a submicroscopic, amorphous powder with a particle size of approximately 15 nm. It is characterized by being light, odorless, tasteless, and bluish-white. In the pharmaceutical industry, it serves multiple roles as a versatile excipient, including as a glidant to enhance powder flowability in tablet and capsule manufacturing, an anti-caking agent, an adsorbent, a disintegrant, an emulsion stabilizer, a suspending agent, and a thickening agent. It possesses hygroscopic properties, allowing it to absorb significant amounts of liquid without liquefying. Beyond its excipient functions, colloidal silicon dioxide is also investigated for its therapeutic applications as an enterosorbent, particularly in the treatment of acute diarrhea, where it functions by adsorbing pathogenic microorganisms, toxins, and allergens from the gastrointestinal tract.

Brand names

CarbowhiteAerosilCab-O-SilCab-O-Sil M-5Pfumed silicaSyloid 244 FSyloid244 FSyloid-244 FSyloid AL 1 FPLudoxNalcoagNyacolSantocelSilikillVulkasil

Other names

Colloidal anhydrous silicaSilica colloidalis anhydricaLight anhydrous silicic acidSilica, colloidal anhydroussilicic anhydridesilicon dioxide fumedamorphous silicasilica gelsilicon dioxideprecipitated silicasynthetic amorphous silicahochdisperses silicum dioxidsilica solsilicon dioxide colloidalhydrophilic silicaE551E-551E 551