Silicon dioxide
Pure silicon dioxide	Silicon dioxide as sand
IUPAC name Silicon dioxide
Other names Quartz Silica Silicic oxide Silicon(IV) oxide
Identifiers
CAS number	7631-86-9 Y
PubChem	24261
ChemSpider	22683 Y
UNII	ETJ7Z6XBU4 Y
EC number	231-545-4
KEGG	C16459 N
MeSH	Silicon+dioxide
ChEBI	CHEBI:30563 Y
RTECS number	VV7565000
Gmelin Reference	200274
Jmol-3D images	Image 1
SMILES O=[Si]=O
InChI InChI=1S/O2Si/c1-3-2 Y Key: VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
Properties
Molecular formula	O2Si
Molar mass	60.08 g mol−1
Appearance	Transparent crystals
Density	2.648 g·cm−3
Melting point	1600-1725 °C, 1873-1998 K, 2912-3137 °F
Boiling point	2230 °C, 2503 K, 4046 °F
Solubility in water	0.079 g L−1
Related compounds
Related diones	Carbon dioxide Germanium dioxide Lead dioxide Tin dioxide
Related compounds	Silicon monoxide Silicon sulfide
Thermochemistry
Std enthalpy of formation ΔfHo298	−911 kJ·mol−1[1]
Standard molar entropy So298	42 J·mol−1·K−1[1]
N (verify) (what is: Y/N?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

The chemical compound silicon dioxide, also known as silica (from the Latin silex), is an oxide of silicon with the chemical formula SiO₂. It has been known for its hardness since ancient times. Silica is most commonly found in nature as sand or quartz, as well as in the cell walls of diatoms.^[2][3]

Silica is manufactured in several forms including fused quartz, crystal, fumed silica (or pyrogenic silica), colloidal silica, silica gel, and aerogel.

Silica is used primarily in the production of glass for windows, drinking glasses, beverage bottles, and many other uses. The majority of optical fibers for telecommunications are also made from silica. It is a primary raw material for many whiteware ceramics such as earthenware, stoneware, porcelain, as well as industrial Portland cement.

Silica is a common additive in the production of foods, where it is used primarily as a flow agent in powdered foods, or to absorb water in hygroscopic applications. It is the primary component of diatomaceous earth which has many uses ranging from filtration to insect control. It is also the primary component of rice husk ash which is used, for example, in filtration and cement manufacturing.

Thin films of silica grown on silicon wafers via thermal oxidation methods can be quite beneficial in microelectronics, where they act as electric insulators with high chemical stability. In electrical applications, it can protect the silicon, store charge, block current, and even act as a controlled pathway to limit current flow.^[4]

A silica-based aerogel was used in the Stardust spacecraft to collect extraterrestrial particles. Silica is also used in the extraction of DNA and RNA due to its ability to bind to the nucleic acids under the presence of chaotropes. As hydrophobic silica it is used as a defoamer component. In hydrated form, it is used in toothpaste as a hard abrasive to remove tooth plaque.

In its capacity as a refractory, it is useful in fiber form as a high-temperature thermal protection fabric. In cosmetics, it is useful for its light-diffusing properties and natural absorbency. Colloidal silica is used as a wine and juice fining agent. In pharmaceutical products, silica aids powder flow when tablets are formed. It is also used as a thermal enhancement compound in ground source heat pump industry.

Crystal structure[link]

Tetrahedral coordination of silica (SiO₂), the basic building block of the most ideal glass former.

In the majority of silicates, the Si atom shows tetrahedral coordination, with 4 oxygen atoms surrounding a central Si atom. The most common example is seen in the quartz crystalline form of silica SiO₂. In each of the most thermodynamically stable crystalline forms of silica, on average, all 4 of the vertices (or oxygen atoms) of the SiO₄ tetrahedra are shared with others, yielding the net chemical formula: SiO₂.

The amorphous structure of glassy silica (SiO₂) in two-dimensions. No long-range order is present; however there is local ordering with respect to the tetrahedral arrangement of oxygen (O) atoms around the silicon (Si) atoms. Note that a fourth oxygen atom is bonded to each silicon atom, either behind the plane of the screen or in front of it; these atoms are omitted for clarity.

For example, in the unit cell of α-quartz, the central tetrahedron shares all 4 of its corner O atoms, the 2 face-centered tetrahedra share 2 of their corner O atoms, and the 4 edge-centered terahedra share just one of their O atoms with other SiO₄ tetrahedra. This leaves a net average of 12 out of 24 total vertices for that portion of the 7 SiO₄ tetrahedra which are considered to be a part of the unit cell for silica (see 3-D Unit Cell).

SiO₂ has a number of distinct crystalline forms (polymorphs) in addition to amorphous forms. With the exception of stishovite and fibrous silica, all of the crystalline forms involve tetrahedral SiO₄ units linked together by shared vertices in different arrangements. Silicon-oxygen bond lengths vary between the different crystal forms, for example in α-quartz the bond length is 161 pm, whereas in α-tridymite it is in the range 154–171 pm. The Si-O-Si angle also varies between a low value of 140° in α-tridymite, up to 180° in β-tridymite. In α-quartz the Si-O-Si angle is 144°.^[6]

Fibrous silica has a structure similar to that of SiS₂ with chains of edge-sharing SiO₄ tetrahedra. Stishovite, the higher pressure form, in contrast has a rutile like structure where silicon is 6 coordinate. The density of stishovite is 4.287 g/cm³, which compares to α-quartz, the densest of the low pressure forms, which has a density of 2.648 g/cm³.^[7] The difference in density can be ascribed to the increase in coordination as the six shortest Si-O bond lengths in stishovite (four Si-O bond lengths of 176 pm and two others of 181 pm) are greater than the Si-O bond length (161 pm) in α-quartz.^[8] The change in the coordination increases the ionicity of the Si-O bond.^[9] But more important is the observation that any deviations from these standard parameters constitute microstructural differences or variations which represent an approach to an amorphous, vitreous or glassy solid.

Note that the only stable form under normal conditions is α-quartz and this is the form in which crystalline silicon dioxide is usually encountered. In nature impurities in crystalline α-quartz can give rise to colors (see list).

Note also that both high temperature minerals, cristobalite and tridymite, have both a lower density and index of refraction than quartz. Since the composition is identical, the reason for the discrepancies must be in the increased spacing in the high temperature minerals. As is common with many substances, the higher the temperature the farther apart the atoms due to the increased vibration energy.

The high pressure minerals, seifertite, stishovite, and coesite, on the other hand, have a higher density and index of refraction when compared to quartz. This is probably due to the intense compression of the atoms that must occur during their formation, resulting in a more condensed structure.

Faujasite silica is another form of crystalline silica. It is obtained by dealumination of a low-sodium, ultra-stable Y zeolite with a combined acid and thermal treatment. The resulting product contains over 99% silica, has high crystallinity and high surface area (over 800 m²/g). Faujasite-silica has very high thermal and acid stability. For example, it maintains a high degree of long-range molecular order (or crystallinity) even after boiling in concentrated hydrochloric acid.^[10]

Molten silica exhibits several peculiar physical characteristics that are similar to the ones observed in liquid water: negative temperature expansion, density maximum (at temperatures ~5000 °C), and a heat capacity minimum.^[11] Its density decreases from 2.08 g/cm³ at 1950 °C to 2.03 g/cm³ at 2200 °C.^[12] When molecular silicon monoxide, SiO, is condensed in an argon matrix cooled with helium along with oxygen atoms generated by microwave discharge, molecular SiO₂ is produced which has a linear structure. Dimeric silicon dioxide, (SiO₂)₂ has been prepared by reacting O₂ with matrix isolated dimeric silicon monoxide, (Si₂O₂). In dimeric silicon dioxide there are two oxygen atoms bridging between the silicon atoms with an Si-O-Si angle of 94° and bond length of 164.6 pm and the terminal Si-O bond length is 150.2 pm. The Si-O bond length is 148.3 pm which compares with the length of 161 pm in α-quartz. The bond energy is estimated at 621.7 kJ/mol.^[13]

Crystalline forms of SiO₂^[6]

Form	Crystal symmetry Pearson symbol, group No.	ρ g/cm3	Notes	Structure
α-quartz	rhombohedral (trigonal) hP9, P3121 No.152[14]	2.648	Helical chains making individual single crystals optically active; α-quartz converts to β-quartz at 846 K
β-quartz	hexagonal hP18, P6222, No.180[15]	2.533	closely related to α-quartz (with an Si-O-Si angle of 155°) and optically active; β-quartz converts to β-tridymite at 1140 K
α-tridymite	orthorhombic oS24, C2221, No.20[16]	2.265	metastable form under normal pressure	100px
β-tridymite	hexagonal hP12, P63/mmc, No. 194[16]		closely related to α-tridymite; β-tridymite converts to β-cristobalite at 2010 K
α-cristobalite	tetragonal tP12, P41212, No. 92[17]	2.334	metastable form under normal pressure	100px
β-cristobalite	cubic cF104, Fd3m, No.227[18]		closely related to α-cristobalite; melts at 1978 K
faujasite	cubic cF576, Fd3m, No.227[19]	1.92	sodalite cages connected by hexagonal prisms; 12-membered ring pore opening; faujasite structure.[10]
melanophlogite	cubic (cP*, P4232, No.208)[5] or tetragonal (P42/nbc)[20]	2.04	Si5O10, Si6O12 rings; mineral always found with hydrocarbons in interstitial spaces-a clathrasil[21]	100px
keatite	tetragonal tP36, P41212, No. 92[22]	3.011	Si5O10, Si4O14, Si8O16 rings; synthesised from glassy silica and alkali at 600–900K and 40–400 MPa	100px
moganite	monoclinic mS46, C2/c, No.15[23]		Si4O8 and Si6O12 rings	100px
coesite	monoclinic mS48, C2/c, No.15[24]	2.911	Si4O8 and Si8O16 rings; 900 K and 3–3.5 GPa
stishovite	Tetragonal tP6, P42/mnm, No.136[25]	4.287	One of the densest (together with seifertite) polymorphs of silica; rutile-like with 6-fold coordinated Si; 7.5–8.5 GPa
fibrous	orthorhombic oI12, Ibam, No.72[26]	1.97	like SiS2 consisting of edge sharing chains, melts at ~1700 K
seifertite	orthorhombic oP, Pbcn[27]	4.294	One of the densest (together with stishovite) polymorphs of silica; is produced at pressures above 40 GPa.[28]	100px

Quartz glass[link]

When silicon dioxide SiO₂ is cooled rapidly enough, it does not crystallize but solidifies as a glass. The glass transition temperature of pure SiO₂ is about 1600 K (1330 °C or 2420 °F). Like most of the crystalline polymorphs the local atomic structure in pure silica glass is regular tetrahedra of oxygen atoms around silicon atoms. The difference between the glass and the crystals arises in the connectivity of these tetrahedral units. SiO₂ glass consists of a non-repeating network of tetrahedra, where all the oxygen corners connect two neighbouring tetrahedra. Although there is no long range periodicity in the glassy network there remains significant ordering at length scales well beyond the SiO bond length. One example of this ordering is found in the preference of the network to form rings of 6-tetrahedra.^[29]

Chemistry[link]

Manufactured silica fume at maximum surface area of 380 m²/g

Silicon dioxide is formed when silicon is exposed to oxygen (or air). A very shallow layer (approximately 1 nm or 10 Å) of so-called native oxide is formed on the surface when silicon is exposed to air under ambient conditions. Higher temperatures and alternative environments are used to grow well-controlled layers of silicon dioxide on silicon, for example at temperatures between 600 and 1200 °C, using so-called dry or wet oxidation with O₂ or H₂O, respectively.^[30] The depth of the layer of silicon replaced by the dioxide is 44% of the depth of the silicon dioxide layer produced.^[30]

Alternative methods used to deposit a layer of SiO₂ include^[31]

• Low temperature oxidation (400–450 °C) of silane

SiH₄ + 2 O₂ → SiO₂ + 2 H₂O.

• Decomposition of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) at 680–730 °C

Si(OC₂H₅)₄ → SiO₂ + 2 H₂O + 4 C₂H₄.

• Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition using TEOS at about 400 °C

Si(OC₂H₅)₄ + 12 O₂ → SiO₂ + 10 H₂O + 8 CO₂.

• Polymerization of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) at below 100 °C using amino acid as catalyst.^[32]

Pyrogenic silica (sometimes called fumed silica or silica fume), which is a very fine particulate form of silicon dioxide, is prepared by burning SiCl₄ in an oxygen rich hydrocarbon flame to produce a "smoke" of SiO₂:^[7]

SiCl₄ + 2 H₂ + O₂ → SiO₂ + 4 HCl.

Amorphous silica, silica gel, is produced by the acidification of solutions of sodium silicate to produce a gelatinous precipitate that is then washed and then dehydrated to produce colorless microporous silica.^[7]

Quartz exhibits a maximum solubility in water at temperatures about 340 °C.^[33] This property is used to grow single crystals of quartz in a hydrothermal process where natural quartz is dissolved in superheated water in a pressure vessel which is cooler at the top. Crystals of 0.5–1 kg can be grown over a period of 1–2 months.^[6] These crystals are a source of very pure quartz for use in electronic applications.^[7]

Fluorine reacts with silicon dioxide to form SiF₄ and O₂ whereas the other halogen gases (Cl₂, Br₂, I₂) react much less readily.^[7]

Silicon dioxide is attacked by hydrofluoric acid (HF) to produce hexafluorosilicic acid:^[6]

SiO₂ + 6 HF → H₂SiF₆ + 2 H₂O.

HF is used to remove or pattern silicon dioxide in the semiconductor industry.

Silicon dioxide dissolves in hot concentrated alkali or fused hydroxide:^[7]

SiO₂ + 2 NaOH → Na₂SiO₃ + H₂O.

Silicon dioxide reacts with basic metal oxides (e.g. sodium oxide, potassium oxide, lead(II) oxide, zinc oxide, or mixtures of oxides forming silicates and glasses as the Si-O-Si bonds in silica are broken successively).^[6] As an example the reaction of sodium oxide and SiO₂ can produce sodium orthosilicate, sodium silicate, and glasses, dependent on the proportions of reactants:^[7]

2 Na₂O + SiO₂ → Na₄SiO₄;

Na₂O + SiO₂ → Na₂SiO₃;

(0.25–0.8)Na₂O + SiO₂ → glass.

Examples of such glasses have commercial significance e.g. soda lime glass, borosilicate glass, lead glass. In these glasses, silica is termed the network former or lattice former.^[6]

Bundle of optical fibers composed of high purity silica.

With silicon at high temperatures gaseous SiO is produced:^[6]

SiO₂ + Si → 2 SiO (gas).

Uses[link]

Silicon dioxide is used to produce elemental silicon. The process involves high temperature reduction with elemental carbon in an electric arc furnace:^[34]

SiO₂(s) + 2C(s) → Si(s) + 2CO(g)

Biomaterials[link]

This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability.

Silicification in and by cells has been common in the biological world for well over a billion years. In the modern world it occurs in bacteria, single-celled organisms, plants, and animals (invertebrates and vertebrates). Prominent examples include:

• Tests or frustules of Diatoms and Radiolaria.
• Silica Phytoliths in the cells of many plants, including Equisetaceae, practically all grasses, and a wide range of dicotyledons.
• The spicules which form the skeleton of many sponges.

Crystalline minerals formed in the physiological environment often show exceptional physical properties (e.g. strength, hardness, fracture toughness) and tend to form hierarchical structures that exhibit microstructural order over a range of scales. The minerals are crystallized from an environment that is undersaturated with respect to silicon, and under conditions of neutral pH and low temperature (0–40 °C).

Formation of the mineral may occur either within the cell wall of an organism (such as with phytoliths), or outside the cell wall, as typically happens with tests. Specific biochemical reactions exist for mineral deposition. Such reactions include those that involve lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates.

It is unclear in what ways silica is important in the nutrition of metazoa. This is a challenging field of research, because silica is ubiquitous in the environment and in most circumstances dissolves in trace quantities only. All the same it certainly does occur in the living body, leaving us with the problem that it is hard to create proper silica-free controls for purposes of research. This makes it difficult to be sure when the silica present has had operative beneficial effects, and when its presence is coincidental, or even harmful. The current consensus is that it certainly seems important in the growth, strength, and management of many connective tissues. This is true not only for hard connective tissues such as bone and tooth.^[35]

Health effects[link]

Quartz sand (silica) as main raw material for commercial glass production

Inhaling finely divided crystalline silica dust in very small quantities (OSHA allows 0.1 mg/m³) over time can lead to silicosis, bronchitis, or cancer, as the dust becomes lodged in the lungs and continuously irritates them, reducing lung capacities. (In the body crystalline silica particles do not dissolve over clinically relevant periods of time.) This effect can create an occupational hazard for people working with sandblasting equipment, products that contain powdered crystalline silica and so on. Children, asthmatics of any age, allergy sufferers, and the elderly (all of whom have reduced lung capacity) can be affected in much less time. Amorphous silica, such as fumed silica is not associated with development of silicosis,^[36] but may cause irreversible lung damage in some cases.^[37] Laws restricting silica exposure with respect to the silicosis hazard specify that they are concerned only with silica that is both crystalline and dust-forming.

Plant materials with high silica phytolith content, appear to be of importance to grazing animals, from chewing insects to ungulates. Studies have shown that it accelerates tooth wear, and high levels of silica in plants frequently eaten by herbivores may have developed as a defense mechanism against predation.^[38][39]

A study which followed subjects for 15 years found that higher levels of silica in water appeared to decrease the risk of dementia. The study found that with an increase of 10 milligram-per-day of the intake of silica in drinking water, the risk of dementia dropped by 11%.^[40]

See also[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Tridymite, International Chemical Safety Card 0807
• Quartz, International Chemical Safety Card 0808
• Cristobalite, International Chemical Safety Card 0809
• amorphous, NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
• crystalline, as respirable dust, NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
• Formation of silicon oxide layers in the semiconductor industry. LPCVD and PECVD method in comparison. Stress prevention.
• Quartz SiO₂ piezoelectric properties
• Silica (SiO₂) and Water
• Epidemiological evidence on the carcinogenicity of silica: factors in scientific judgement by C Soutar and others. Institute of Occupational Medicine Research Report TM/97/09
• Scientific opinion on the health effects of airborne silica by A Pilkington and others. Institute of Occupational Medicine Research Report TM/95/08
• The toxic effects of silica by A Seaton and others. Institute of Occupational Medicine Research Report TM/87/13

Media related to Silicon dioxide at Wikimedia Commons

•  Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Silica". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 

Adrian Lewis
Personal information
Full name	Adrian Lewis
Nickname	Jackpot
Born	(1985-01-21) 21 January 1985 (age 27) Stoke-on-Trent, England
Home town	Stoke-on-Trent England
Darts information
Playing darts since	2003
Darts	21g Target 'Adrian Lewis'
Laterality	Right-handed
Walk-on music	Reach Up (Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag) by Perfecto Allstarz
Organisation (see split in darts)
BDO	2002–2003
PDC	2003 – Present
Current world ranking	2
BDO majors - best performances
World Darts Trophy	Round 2 2007
Int. Darts League	Semi Finalist 2007
PDC premier events - best performances
World Ch'ship	Winner (2) 2011, 2012
World Matchplay	Semi Finalist (2) 2007, 2011
World Grand Prix	Runner Up 2010
Grand Slam	Semi Finalist 2011
Premier League	Runner Up 2011
Ch'ship League	Initial groups, Runner-up 2008
Desert Classic	Quarter Finalist (2) 2007, 2009
European Ch'ship	Runner Up (2) 2008, 2011
UK Open	Quarter Finalist 2010
Players Ch'ship Finals	Quarter Finalist 2010
Other tournament wins
Tournament	Years
British Teenage Open Chris de Roo Open Players Championship (AUT) Players Championship (CRA) Players Championship (GER) Players Championship (IRE) Players Championship (SCO) UK Open Qualifier UK Open Scottish Regional Final World Cup of Darts	2003 2004 2009 2010 2010 2009 2005, 2006 2011 2005 2012

Adrian Lewis (born 21 January 1985 in Stoke-on-Trent) is an English professional darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) who is the reigning two time PDC World Darts Champion. He is nicknamed Jackpot, following a visit to a casino whilst competing at the 2005 Las Vegas Desert Classic when he "won" a $72,000 jackpot but was unable to claim the money as he was under-age by US gaming laws – despite being eligible in the UK.^[1] During the early part of his career until 2007, he was a protégé of multi-world champion Phil Taylor having practised together in their home city Stoke-on-Trent and made his television debut in 2004, aged 19 at the UK Open.^[1]

Early career[link]

Lewis had shown his potential at the age of 18 by winning the 2003 British Teenage Open and after competing at the 2003 Winmau World Masters he joined the PDC without ever qualifying or playing in the Lakeside World Championship.^[2]

Lewis reached a semi-final of the regional qualifiers for the UK Open in 2004, which provided his opportunity for a television debut at the 2004 UK Open in Bolton, where he narrowly lost his last 64 match to Dennis Harbour. His next television appearance came against his mentor Taylor at the 2004 Las Vegas Desert Classic where he went out 0–2 in the first round. He then went on to win his first match on television at the 2004 World Grand Prix beating former world champion Richie Burnett.

He failed to qualify for the 2005 PDC World Championships but back at Bolton for the UK Open he produced one of the rare whitewashes in the tournament history, beating Colin Monk 11–0 before falling to Chris Mason in the last 16. His World Matchplay debut came in 2005 and reached the quarter-finals before losing to Colin Lloyd.

Major Breakthrough[link]

During 2005, Lewis began to produce some promising results including a run to the quarter-finals of the 2005 World Matchplay. Towards the end of 2005, he matched Phil Taylor by winning both PDC Pro Tour events during a weekend in Scotland by taking the PDPA Players Championship and the UK Open Scottish Regional titles.^[3]

Lewis made his PDC World Championship debut in 2006, where he reached the quarter-finals by defeating Dave Honey, Dennis Priestley and Roland Scholten.^[4] He was involved in, what has become, an infamous match against Peter Manley. When 1–2 down Lewis successfully hit a blind 180, where he turned to face Manley as the last dart was in the air. Manley won the set and then appeared to say something while Lewis was throwing, which caused him to leave the stage. Lewis did return, but went on to lose the match 3–5.^[5]

His biggest breakthrough came in May 2006 when he joined the 15 other PDC players in the top 16 competing against 16 American qualifiers in the World Series of Darts which was broadcast on ESPN. Lewis' performance in this tournament made others refer to him as a major threat in years to come. He beat Lloyd, Denis Ovens and Priestley before falling in the final to Taylor.

His ranking continued to rise by reaching the later stages of the non-televised PDC Pro Tour events during 2006 as well as the quarter-finals of the UK Open in 2006 where he beat Wayne Mardle 11–10 in the last 16, before losing to John MaGowan 11–8 in the last eight.

2007–2010[link]

Between 2007 and 2010, Lewis produced inconsistent form and was often unable to follow up on big wins such as the 2007 World Matchplay in Blackpool where he beat the incumbent world champion Raymond van Barneveld 16–14 in the quarter finals before losing heavily 7–17 in the semi finals to James Wade.

He lost to Andy Jenkins in the last 16 of the 2007 World Championship, but was selected by Sky Sports as a wildcard for the 2007 Premier League.^[6][7] The event is prestigious as it involves the top 7 PDC players and the aforementioned wildcard. Lewis finished seventh in the league, winning five of his fourteen matches.^[8]

He reached the quarter-finals of the World Championship for the second time in 2008, but was defeated 2–5 by Kevin Painter.^[9] At the 2008 European Darts Championship, Lewis played his first-round match against Hannes Schnier with three plasters on his non-throwing hand – having attempted to catch a falling glass backstage but shattered in his hand. After winning the match 5–2, Lewis was taken to hospital for checks on two deep cuts.^[10] Lewis went on to beat Ovens 9–5 in the 2nd round, before producing arguably the best performance of his career with a 9–2 victory over van Barneveld in the quarter-finals. An 11–7 victory over Manley set up a final with Taylor. Lewis lost 11–5 but his performance in the tournament guaranteed him a place in the 2008 Grand Slam of Darts.

Lewis was defeated in the second round of the 2009 World Championship, 3–4 by Paul Nicholson but did manage to end his title drought in September.^[11] He won his first PDC Pro Tour event in three years at the Austrian Players Championship, where he beat Carlos Rodriguez 6–4 in the final, which included a nine dart finish. He dedicated victory to his one month old daughter. He added another Pro Tour title the following month at the Irish Open Players Championship beating Andy Hamilton in the final by 6 legs to 4.

His form on television also improved during 2009 reaching the quarter finals of the Las Vegas Desert Classic, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix. During 2010 he also made the last eight of the World Championship, Players Championships and UK Open before reaching his first televised final on Sky Television in the 2010 World Grand Prix where he beat Phil Taylor for the first time on television in the semi finals but lost to James Wade in the final. There were further title successes in 2010, when he won Players Championships in Crawley and Germany to bring his overall Pro Tour title tally to seven.

2011 season[link]

World Championship win[link]

Lewis reached the final of the 2011 PDC World Darts Championship courtesy of victories over Tony Eccles, Mark Dudbridge, Robert Thornton, Vincent van der Voort and Mark Webster en route to the final, where he played Gary Anderson. The match-up ensured that, for the first time, the winner of the PDC World Championship would not have previously succeeded in the rival BDO World Championship. Lewis himself became the only player to have reached the PDC final without playing full-time on the BDO circuit.

During the first set of the match, Lewis became the first player to throw a nine dart finish in a World Championship final.^[12] Lewis went on to win the match 7–5 and with it the championship,^[12] guaranteeing him a place in the 2011 Premier League. He has also risen to his highest ranking of no.2. In addition, at 25 years old Lewis became the fifth youngest player to win a World Championship, behind Jelle Klaasen (21 in 2006), Eric Bristow (22 in 1980), Keith Deller (23 in 1983), and Mark Webster (24 in 2008), as well as the youngest ever PDC World Champion.

Rest of 2011[link]

In the 2011 Players Championship Finals Lewis lost 6–4 to Steve Beaton in the first round.

Lewis signed a one-year sponsorship deal with pawnbroker Albemarle & Bond in January 2011.

He got off to a winning start in the 2011 premier league of darts by beating the 2010 champion Phil Taylor 8–2, only to lose to Taylor 8–3 in their second meeting. Week 4 saw him get his first heavy defeat of the 2011 campaign, losing 8–2 to Mark Webster. He went on to defeat Gary Anderson in Anderson's home country of Scotland after both players were distracted by the crowd. Lewis was being booed and coins were thrown at him but he went on to win the match 8–3 and both players stated their disappointment with the crowd. During his walk on he had beer thrown over him.^[13] Lewis proceeded to make it to the final of the 2011 Premier League but lost 10–4 to Gary Anderson after beating Phil Taylor 8–3 in the semi final in the same night.

Lewis was eliminated in the third round of the 2011 U.K. Open by Terry Jenkins, who took a 9–7 match. He lost 17–10 in the semi-finals of the 2011 World Matchplay to James Wade. He hit another perfect 9 dart leg on the 31st July 2011 at the European Darts Championships against Raymond van Barneveld during their semi- final match which he won 11–10. He played Phil Taylor in the final and lost 8–11.^[14]

In the 2011 World Grand Prix, he played John Part in his first round match. He lost 2 sets to 1 after leading 1–0 in sets and 2–0 in legs.

He reached the final of the first players championship in Derby and was defeated 6–2 by Jamie Caven.^[15] In the Crawley Players Championship he was defeated in the final by Paul Nicholson 6–4 in a hard fought match, he had defeated Ronnie Baxter 6–5 in the semi final.^[16]

Lewis was now under the management of former World Champion Keith Deller and under his guidance he has appeared in several major finals, including his World Championship win.

2012 season[link]

Defending his title[link]

Lewis became the third player, after Eric Bristow and Raymond van Barneveld, to successfully defend their first World Championship title in the 2012 PDC World Championship, by beating Andy Hamilton 7–3 in the Final.^[17]

He almost exited the tournament on multiple occasions, beginning with his first round match against Nigel Heydon. He trailed 0–2 and was stung by a wasp during a break on his non-throwing hand, but nevertheless managed to claw his way back to 2–2. Heydon led 2–1 in the deciding set, but never had a dart for the match as Lewis won four of the last five legs to avoid an early exit.^[18] More comfortable victories ensued over Robert Thornton (4–2) and Wayne Jones (4–0), with Lewis seemingly heading for the semi-finals as he led Terry Jenkins 3–0 in the last 8, having only lost 2 legs.^[19] However, his opponent stormed back to level the match, before Lewis rediscovered his form to win the last two sets and clinch a 5–3 win. He said after the match that he had "lost his way" during Jenkins' fightback, but was delighted to be in the semi-finals.^[20]

His semi-final match with James Wade was hailed as one of the greatest comebacks of all time. Lewis trailed both 2–0 and 5–1, only to win the next 5 sets, including 10 straight legs, to incredibly win 6–5 and finished with a 161 checkout.^[21] After the semi-final Lewis stated: "That was the best win of my career, definitely".^[22]

The match eventually finished at 12:50am (GMT) and with Lewis required to give a drug test upon its completion, he stated he only got 4 hours sleep after going to bed at 5am.^[23] However, Lewis managed to never trail against Hamilton and was a double 12 away from hitting a nine-darter in the final for the second successive year. Lewis clinched victory with his third attempt at the match winning double and said afterwards he believed he could win 10 World Championship titles.^[17]

The tournament victory took Lewis' career prize money above the £1 million mark,^[3] and confirmed his number two status in the PDC Order of Merit.^[24] His semi-final comeback was named PDC Televised Performance of the Year at the PDC annual awards ceremony on 3 January.^[25]

Rest of 2012[link]

Lewis maintained his form for his next tournament of the season as he represented England and won the 2012 PDC World Cup of Darts, with Phil Taylor. The pair needed a sudden-death leg to see off Canada in the second round, before defeating the United States and Wales to reach the final where they played the Australian team consisting of Simon Whitlock and Paul Nicholson. The final finished with the scores at 3–3 meaning that a sudden-death leg was required to decide the title. Australia missed four darts to take the crown and England two, before Lewis took out double 5 to win his first World Cup, stating that the victory meant more to him than his second world title won a month earlier.^[26]

Lewis was an automatic entrant for the Premier League due to his Order of Merit ranking.^[27] His first game was against Taylor, just four days after their World Cup win. Lewis led the match 6–1, before Taylor came back to draw 7–7.^[28] Taylor averaged 112.79 which is the highest ever average in a match without actually winning it.^[29] Lewis drew his next two matches before succumbing to a heavy 1–8 defeat to Gary Anderson. He had to wait until the 7th game of the season for his first win which came with a 8–3 defeat of Kevin Painter.^[30] Lewis went into the final match knowing a victory over Simon Whitlock would guarantee him a place in the play-offs,^[31] however he lost 6–8 to finish the season 6th in the table.^[32]

World Championship Results[link]

• 2006: Quarter-Finals (lost to Peter Manley 3–5)
• 2007: Third Round (lost to Andy Jenkins 3–4)
• 2008: Quarter-Finals (lost to Kevin Painter 2–5)
• 2009: Second Round (lost to Paul Nicholson 3–4)
• 2010: Quarter-Finals (lost to Phil Taylor 0–5)
• 2011: Winner (beat Gary Anderson 7–5)
• 2012: Winner (beat Andy Hamilton 7–3)

Controversies[link]

Lewis has been involved in several controversial matches during his career, including his debut World Championship in 2006. During his quarter final with Peter Manley he decided to leave the stage part-way through the match as he alleged Manley had been trying to upset him whilst he was throwing.^[33]

In April 2008, he argued with Kevin Painter during their quarter final match at the Holland Masters. This resulted in a 6 months ban for Lewis, as well as a 4 months suspension and a fine of £400.

At the 2009 World Grand Prix Lewis was playing Gary Anderson in the second round and during the first set the two players exchanged words after Anderson felt Lewis went into the exclusion zone while Anderson was throwing. Lewis won the match 3–2.^[34]

The final of the 2010 World Grand Prix saw Lewis in an ill-tempered clash which eventually he lost 3–6 to James Wade. Lewis accused Wade of putting off his throw, by "stamping" on the oche.^[35] The pair exchanged a brief handshake, which Wade appeared to look reluctant about. Lewis had also been involved in an incident with Taylor, just 24 hours earlier, during their semi-final match, where Taylor accused Lewis of playing up to the crowd to put him off.^[36]

During the 2012 PDC World Darts Championship, both Lewis and his opponent James Wade left the stage with Lewis trailing 2–0 in sets, after complaining of a 'draft' blowing across the stage. The 25 minute break seemed to provoke the crowd into heckling Lewis for the remainder of the game, Lewis went on to win the match 6–5.^[37]

Ranking and earnings[link]

Lewis has risen to second in the PDC Order of Merit – the PDC's world ranking system, and has been ranked 2nd since beating Gary Anderson to win his first World Championship final. He has won £1,153,717 during his six year career.^[3]

Personal life[link]

His first daughter, Myla Niamh was born in August 2009.^[38] In 2011, within a few days after winning the world championship, he broke up with his girlfriend.^[39] He supports his local football team Stoke City.^[40]

Outside of darts[link]

In 2012, Lewis, together with the other seven players who competed in the Premier League recorded a charity single with Chas Hodges and his band called 'Got My Tickets For The Darts' which was written by Chas. It was released on 18 May, the night after the play-offs at the O2 in London, where it was premiered. Proceeds from the single will be donated to the Haven House Children's Hospice.^[41]

Performance timeline[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Website
• Adrian Lewis' profile and stats on Darts Database