Silica crystals
Silica gel is a processed form of silicon dioxide. Its porous, crystalline structure gives this material an enormous interior surface area, equivalent to over 800 square meters per gram of the material, according to Gee Jay Chemicals Ltd. This internal structure allows silica gel to hold a large amount of water. Silica gel is used as a desiccant, in chemical processing and in cat litter. Silica gel’s main use is as a drying agent, or desiccant. Sorbent Systems says silica gel can hold up to 40 percent of its weight in water. That means one pound of silica gel can hold up to 6.4 fluid ounces of water. Silica gel starts losing its ability to hold water at temperatures over 77 degrees Fahrenheit, which means you can reuse the gel by heating it until all the water has been driven out, and then using it again.
Silica gel is used in chemical processing as a solid adsorbent in column chromatography, a purification technique in which solvents are used to isolate desired compounds from a mixture. The University of Colorado’s organic chemistry website says the silica gel adsorbent is chemically “sticky” and holds solvent molecules on its exterior and interior surface area. This property of silica gel serves to control the flow of the solvents through the chromatography column.
Silica gel is an ingredient in cat litter, states the Fresh Step kitty litter company, because it’s porous nature and affinity for water absorbs cat urine and urine odor on contact. It’s inert and non-toxic, and so is safe around pets. Silica gel isn’t used alone, however; it is mixed with scoop able clay-based litter and odor-controlling carbon compounds. Particulates such as silica crystal (silica) and aluminum salts (alum) activate the inflammasome and induce the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages. These particulates also induce the production of immunoglobulin E via a T helper 2 (Th2) cell-associated mechanisms.
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