Abstract: A method is provided for producing a silver powder which has a smaller particle size distribution than the conventional one without changing the type of surface treatment agent, and also for enabling a low resistance when the silver powder is made into a paste to form an electrode. The method for producing a silver powder includes adding an O/W-type emulsion containing micelles of a surface treatment agent having a volume-based cumulative 50% particle diameter D50 obtained by a laser diffraction particle size distribution analysis of 1.5 ?m or less to a slurry of a silver powder. The dispersibility of the silver powder in the slurry containing the silver powder is then improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coating liquid for forming a hydrophilic film. This coating liquid comprises a first sol which is a titania sol; and a second sol which is at least one of a silica sol and an alumina sol. This titania sol is prepared by a method comprising the sequential steps of (a) mixing a first solution containing a titanium alkoxide with a diol represented by at least one of the following general formulas (1) and (2), thereby to prepare a second solution containing a titanium complex formed by a reaction of the titanium alkoxide with the diol; and (b) hydrolyzing the titanium complex in the second solution, thereby to prepare the titania sol. The coating liquid is stable or sufficiently long in pot life, and the hydrophilic film has a long time duration in hydrophilicity and a superior abrasion resistance. ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is H or C.sub.p H.sub.2p+1 where p is from 1 to 5, R.sub.2 is C.sub.q H.sub.2q+1 where q is from 1 to 5, R.sub.3 is C.sub.r H.sub.2r where r is from 1 to 3, R.sub.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrophilic article having (a) a substrate; (b) a first layer formed on the substrate; and (c) a second layer formed on the first substrate. The first layer contains (1) an amorphous silica and (2) at least one first amorphous metal oxide selected from titania and alumina. The second layer has (1) a matrix phase constituted of a crystalline titania and at least one second amorphous metal oxide and (2) a dispersed phase constituted of ultrafine particles made of at least one material selected from silica and alumina. The hydrophilic article is excellent in durability, since the second layer is superior in adhesion to the first layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrophilic film formed on a substrate. This film has a hydrophilic outermost layer having a matrix phase containing titania and a disperse phase constituted of at least one compound of silica and alumina. The matrix phase may further contain an amorphous metal oxide. With this, the outermost layer becomes superior in abrasion resistance. The at least one compound of the disperse phase may be a non-spherical colloidal silica. With this, the outermost layer becomes substantially improved in scratch resistance. The outermost layer is formed on the substrate by a method including sequential steps of (a) providing a sol mixture including a first sol containing a precursor of the titania and a second sol containing the at least one compound; (b) coating the substrate with the sol mixture, thereby to form thereon a precursory film; and (c) baking the precursory film into the outermost layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrophilic article having (a) a substrate; and (b) a hydrophilic film formed on the substrate. This film has a hydrophilic outermost layer containing (1) a titania; (2) an amorphous oxide in an amount of from 5 to 25 wt % based on the total weight of the outermost layer; and (3) silica particles having a particle diameter of from 3 to 20 nm. A combination of the titania and the amorphous oxide constitutes the hydrophilic outermost layer's matrix phase (continuous phase), and the silica particles constitute the disperse phase distributed over the matrix phase. The hydrophilic outermost layer is superior in abrasion resistance and duration of hydrophilicity.

Abstract: A defogging article having a defogging coating formed on a substrate such as a glass plate, a mirror, a metal article, or a plastic article. The defogging coating includes titania, and at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of P.sub.2 O.sub.5, B.sub.2 O.sub.3, boehmite, .gamma.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and SiO.sub.2 --Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 based oxide. The defogging coating contains the at least one oxide other than titania, in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 50% by weight.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayered water-repellent film formed on a glass substrate by the sol-gel process. The film has a first metal oxide layer which is formed on the glass substrate by the sol-gel process and a second water-repellent layer formed on the first layer. As a first method for providing the film with superior durability of water repellency, mechanical strength and chemical resistance, the first layer is prepared by using a mixture of three specific sols which are respectively prepared from metal alkoxides or metal acetylacetonates. As a second method for providing the film with the above advantages, the second layer is prepared by using a coating mixture comprising a fluoroalkylsilane, tin oxide particles doped with antimony oxide, a silicon compound, water and an organic solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayered water-repellent film formed on a glass substrate by the sol-gel process. The film has a first metal oxide layer which is formed on the glass substrate by the sol-gel process and a second water-repellent layer formed on the first layer. As a first method for providing the film with superior durability of water repellency, mechanical strength and chemical resistance, the first layer is prepared by using a mixture of three specific sols which are respectively prepared from metal alkoxides or metal acetylacetonates. As a second method for providing the film with the above advantages, the second layer is prepared by using a coating mixture comprising a fluoroalkylsilane, tin oxide particles doped with antimony oxide, a silicon compound, water and an organic solvent.