Molecular Sieve Desiccant vs Silica Gel
Difference between molecular sieve and silica gel Molecular sieve
Food and pharmaceutical manufacturers will be most familiar with the use of molecular sieve desiccant and silica gel. In these industries, shelf-life is paramount. Perishable goods need to be constantly protected against moisture and temperate changes as it can affect the quality of the product.
Manufacturers turn to absorbents and desiccants to control the moisture to keep products moisture-free. Using absorbents preserves the quality of the product and positively affects shelf-life.
Amongst numerous types of desiccant, molecular sieve and silica gel are commonly used by manufacturers.
Molecular sieve and silica gel are moisture-removing desiccants. They prevent products from degrading. While their purposes are similar, they are very different in composition and degree of absorption.
âMolecular Sieveâ is another term that most commonly describes synthetic aluminosilicate called Zeolite. Zeolite is used to remove specific molecules from complex molecule mixtures. Molecular sieve absorbs water vapor through its 3D structure. It is a fast-drying agent that can trap moisture quicker than silica gel. Molecular Sieve is best used in products that require low humidity and remains stable even if the temperature rises.
Molecular Sieve comes in the form of a fine white powder. Molecular Sieve is available in the form of a white liquid called SUPERSIV Paste. This product tends to be more expensive than the powdered format.
Silica gel is a form of silica processed into various forms like granules or beads. Silica gel draws moisture into its many pores. It has the capacity to absorb close to 40% of its weight in water. Silica gel is approved by the FDA for food and drug packaging.
Silica Gel Sachets are suitable for application when achieving zero humidity is not the goal. This material is also less expensive than molecular sieve. If you are worried over-desiccation, silica gel will help avoid this.
Is molecular sieve the best desiccant?
This is more than a yes or no question. In order to know which is better, you must evaluate your requirements and decide whether molecular sieve or silica gel serves the purpose better.Â
The critical difference is that molecular sieve contains pores of similar size, but silica gel is a substance can be used to prepare a porous material with pores of different sizes.
Molecular sieve has the highest absorption capacity and stays good at elevated temperatures. Absorption capacity is higher than silica gel. Unlike silica gel, molecular sieve will not desorb moisture when the temperature rises.
Another question that can help you decide which is better suited is: what relative humidity do you not want your product to see?
Silica Gel will be a good option if products are stored in stable temperatures and high humidity. Silica Gel is a popular choice of pharmaceutical manufacturers because it is non-toxic and stable in nature. The only caution to be taken is to avoid major temperature fluctuations as it could affect the manner in which silica gel performs.
Molecular sieve has aggressive and rapid water adsorption properties,. Hence, molecular sieve is most likely to perform better when products need faster protection from moisture degradation.Â
Exercise caution when selecting the proper dosage in products with specific RH requirements.
We have already established that molecular sieve has a higher rate of adsorption, resulting in quicker moisture removal when compared with silica gel. Using molecular sieve helps meet specific levels of relative humidity in pharmaceutical packaging.
Need expert advice? Baltimore Innovations is a leading expert in moisture and humidity control. They have a wide range of products suitable for the pharametucial industry and manufacturers to speed up production lines.
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