ABSTRACT
Dehydroxylation of the Silica Surface . . . . . . . . . . 263
Rehydroxylation of the Surface
(Chemisorption of Water) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Structurally Bound Water inside the Particles of
Amorphous Silica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
The study of the silica-water system is important both
from the theoretical point of view and for practical appli-
cations [1]. In this connection, an investigation of the so-
called structurally bound water [2] in dispersed amorphous
silica is of interest. This term describes OH groups that are
bound via the valence bond to Si atoms on the silica
surface (hydroxyl coverage) and, in some cases, to Si
atoms inside the particle of silica itself. Numerous spectral
and chemical data unambiguously confirm the presence of
silanol (SiOH) groups on silica surface. The past decades
saw a rapid growth in the science and technology
domains that deal with the production and utilization of
various colloid and microheterogeneous forms of silica
developing high surface areas: sols, gels and powders.