Abstract: There is provided particulate silica which can be suitably used as a viscoelasticity modifier such as a thickener which is added to liquid such as water, a liquid resin or paint to adjust its viscoelastic properties such as viscosity and thixotropic nature, a reinforcer or filler for silicone rubber or sealants, a polishing agent for CMP (Chemical Mechanical Polishing) or a surface coating agent for ink-jet printing paper. The particulate silica has a BET specific surface area S of 130 to 380 m2/g, and its fractal shape parameter ?1 in an ?-value analysis target range of 20 to 30 nm satisfies the following equation (1) and its fractal shape parameter ?2 in an ?-value analysis target range of 30 to 50 nm satisfies the following equation (2). ?1+0.00175S<2.518??(1) ?2+0.00174S<2.

Abstract: There is provided particulate silica which can be suitably used as a viscoelasticity modifier such as a thickener which is added to liquid such as water, a liquid resin or paint to adjust its viscoelastic properties such as viscosity and thixotropic nature, a reinforcer or filler for silicone rubber or sealants, a polishing agent for CMP (Chemical Mechanical Polishing) or a surface coating agent for ink-jet printing paper. The particulate silica has a BET specific surface area S of 130 to 380 m2/g, and its fractal shape parameter ?1 in an ?-value analysis target range of 20 to 30 nm satisfies the following equation (1) and its fractal shape parameter ?2 in an ?-value analysis target range of 30 to 50 nm satisfies the following equation (2). ?1+0.00175S<2.518??(1) ?2+0.00174S<2.