Abstract: A dentifrice composition which contains a particulate, dialytic silica abrasive/thickening agent.

Abstract: Finely divided particulate silica is prepared by the electrodialysis of sodium silicate solution in the presence of silica-containing nucleation particles (seeds). The novel particulate silica product, herein referred to as dialytic silica, may be used in the preparation of catalysts, sorbents, abrasives, fillers and thickeners.

Abstract: Silica hydrogel is prepared by electrolysis of an aqueous anolyte solution containing an alkali metal silicate and a salt of a non-siliceous anion, such as sodium nitrate or sodium sulfate, in a cell with a cation permselective membrane separating the anolyte and an aqueous catholyte. The electrolysis is effected in the presence of the salt to deposit silica hydrogel on the anode. The hydrogel can be easily recovered from the anode and dried to produce regular and intermediate density silica xerogels having narrow pore size distributions.

Abstract: Silica hydrogel is prepared by electrolysis of an aqueous anolyte solution containing an alkali metal silicate and a salt of a non-siliceous anion, such as sodium nitrate or sodium sulfate, in a cell with a cation permselective membrane separating the anolyte and an aqueous catholyte. The electrolysis is effected in the presence of the salt to deposit silica hydrogel on the anode. The hydrogel can be easily recovered from the anode and dried to produce regular and intermediate density silica xerogels having narrow pore size distributions.

Abstract: This invention consists in the exchanging of the water of a silica hydrogel with a water miscible organic solvent to a water content of less than 10 percent by weight, and then feeding this organogel to a fluid energy mill for concurrent drying and deagglomerating.

Abstract: A method of reducing the lipid concentration in the blood of a patient comprises administering to the patient a lipid-lowering effective amount of silica gel.

Abstract: High pore volume silica materials are useful as thickening, reinforcing and flatting agents. This invention comprises selectively forming silica gels having pore volumes in the range of 1.2 to 3.0 cc/g. These high pore volume silica gels can be produced by the alkaline gelation of a mixture of silicate and ammonium hydroxide at a pH of from 10.6 to 11.2, using a water soluble silica desolubilizing agent selected from the group consisting of ammonia, monohydric alcohols, glycols, ketones and salts. The silica is then aged, neutralized, optionally aged a second time, filtered and washed. This silica may then be dried and directly used, or it may be milled to a smaller size. For use as a thickening agent, the silica is milled in a fluid energy mill to an average particle size of less than about 1 micron, and preferably to less than 0.5 micron.