Definition
Colloidal silica consists of fine, amorphous, and typically spherical silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles dispersed in a liquid, most commonly water. These particles, ranging in size from 2 nm to 150 nm, form stable suspensions due to their surface charge, which prevents aggregation and settling. The random distribution of [SiO4] tetrahedra within each particle distinguishes amorphous colloidal silica from crystalline forms like quartz.