Abstract: A dispersion comprising at least metallic copper particles with gelatin provided on the surface thereof, a polymeric dispersant, and an organic solvent. The dispersion is produced by reducing copper oxide in an aqueous solvent in the presence of gelatin having an amine number and an acid number wherein the difference (amine number?acid number) is 0 or less, then subjecting the reaction solution to solid-liquid separation, and then mixing the resultant metallic copper particles with gelatin provided on the surface thereof and a polymeric dispersant having an amine number and an acid number wherein the difference (amine number?acid number) is 0 to 50, into an organic solvent. The dispersion maintains dispersion stability of the metallic copper particles for a long time, is suitable for inkjet printing and spray coating and can be used to make microelectrodes and circuit wiring patterns.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aerogel composite material, a process and a composition for producing the composite material and the use of the composite material.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing catalyst beads of bulk transmission metal carbides, nitrides and phosphides is provided. The method includes providing an aqueous suspension of transition metal oxide particles in a gel forming base, dropping the suspension into an aqueous solution to form a gel bead matrix, heating the bead to remove the binder, and carburizing, nitriding or phosphiding the bead to form a transition metal carbide, nitride, or phosphide catalyst bead. The method can be tuned for control of porosity, mechanical strength, and dopant content of the beads. The produced catalyst beads are catalytically active, mechanically robust, and suitable for packed-bed reactor applications. The produced catalyst beads are suitable for biomass conversion, petrochemistry, petroleum refining, electrocatalysis, and other applications.

Abstract: A urea compound of the present invention is represented by general formula (I) shown below: wherein each of X1, X2 and X3 independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an aryl group. The aryl group may have one or more functional groups selected from the group consisting of halogen groups, alkyl groups and alkoxy groups.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, the present provides a heat transfer medium that includes, but is not limited to a base fluid, a plurality of single-walled carbon nanotubes, and a gelling formulation formed of an amine surfactant, an intercalating agent, and an oxygen-bearing solvent. The heat transfer medium is adapted for improved thermal conductivity with respect to the base fluid.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an inorganic/organic mixed component (I/O) dispersant and applications thereof, which is primarily applied to dispersing nanoparticles of metal oxides. The I/O dispersant of the present invention can be a composite of inorganic clay and an organic surfactant, a composite of inorganic clay and polyoxyalkylene-amine, or a composite of inorganic clay, polyisobutylene succinic anhydride (PIB-SA) and hydrochloric acid salt or tetraalkyl quaternary salt of polyoxyalkylene-amine, or fatty amines. By mixing with the I/O dispersant of the present invention, nanoparticles of a metal oxide can be uniformly dispersed without aggregation particularly at high solid content. The dispersion has a lower viscosity and is relatively stable in storage even at high temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides an organic/inorganic compositive dispersant and a method for producing the same. The compositive dispersant comprises a complex of inorganic clay and an organic surfactant. The compositive dispersant is produced by reacting inorganic clay with the organic surfactant in a solvent to generate a complex. The inorganic clay is layered or platelet. The organic surfactant is an anionic surfactant such as alkyl sulfates, or a nonionic surfactant such as octylphenol polyethoxylate and polyoxyethylene alkyl ether. The compositive dispersant may be used to produce electrolytes of a solar cell or to increase the hardness of an epoxy resin.

Abstract: The present invention provides white light emitting materials. The invention further provides a process for the preparation of white light emitting organogels using the concept of molecular self-assembly and partial energy transfer. The donor acceptor type molecules on coassembly and subsequent irradiation with suitable wavelength light produce white light. On irradiation, partial transfer of the excitation energy from the donor to the acceptor takes place, resulting a broad emission covering the entire range from 400-700 nm to give bright white light emission with CIE coordinates of (0.31, 0.35).

Abstract: Formulations useful for preparing hydrous cerium oxide gels contain a metal salt including cerium, an organic base, and a complexing agent. Methods for preparing gels containing hydrous cerium oxide include heating a formulation to a temperature sufficient to induce gel formation, where the formulation contains a metal salt including cerium, an organic base, and a complexing agent.

Abstract: An additive composition including a synergistic combination of a hectorite organoclay composition and an attapulgite organoclay composition. The hectorite organoclay composition includes (i) a first organic cation provided by an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium salt; and ii) a second organic cation wherein such second organic cation is not provided by an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium salt. The attapulgite organoclay composition includes (iii) a third organic cation provided by an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium salt; and (iv) a fourth organic cation wherein such third organic cation is not provided by an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium salt.

Abstract: Cross-linked sol-gel like materials and cross-linked aerogels, as well as methods for making such cross-linked sol-gel like materials and cross-linked aerogels are described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to solid composites including colloidal nanocrystals within a sol-gel host or matrix and to processes of forming such solid composites.

Abstract: Cross-linked sol-gel like materials and cross-linked aerogels, as well as methods for making such cross-linked sol-gel like materials and cross-linked aerogels are described.

Abstract: A layered silicate characterized by being ion-exchanged with an organic onium ion at 50-100% of its ion-exchange capacity, and by having a specific surface area of 2.5-100 m2/g, as well as a resin composition comprising a thermoplastic resin and the aforementioned layered silicate, the resin composition being characterized in that the layered silicate content is 0.01-20 parts by weight as inorganic ash with respect to 100 parts by weight of the thermoplastic resin, and the average number of layers of the layered silicate in the thermoplastic resin is 2-8 layers. Also, a film which comprises the resin composition.

Abstract: Structurally stable and mechanically strong ceramic oxide aerogels are provided. The aerogels are cross-linked via organic polymer chains that are attached to and extend from surface-bound functional groups provided or present over the internal surfaces of a mesoporous ceramic oxide particle network via appropriate chemical reactions. The functional groups can be hydroxyl groups, which are native to ceramic oxides, or they can be non-hydroxyl functional groups that can be decorated over the internal surfaces of the ceramic oxide network. Methods of preparing such mechanically strong ceramic oxide aerogels also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel, organically modified aerogels, uses thereof, and a process for producing them in which a) a hydrogel is introduced as an initial charge, b) the hydrogel obtained in step a) is subjected to surface modification, and c) the surface-modified gel obtained in step b) is dried. The present invention additionally relates to novel, organically modified wet gels, to a process for producing them, and to their use.

Abstract: A method of producing nanoclays comprising the steps of preparing a first intercalant alkali salt of a carboxylic acid, adding the first intercalant to a swelled clay at a temperature of at least 50° C. so that the metal ions on the clay surface forms a complex with the carboxyl group that enlarges the space between the two galleries of clay. The method further comprises the step of adding an organic acid as a second intercalant to the clay modified by the first intercalant to form a clay/organic salt/organic acid complex. The clay/organic salt/organic acid complex may be post processed by precipitating, homogenizing with a solution comprising of water and alcohol, filtering, drying, milling, and sieving to produce the desired nanoclay.

Abstract: New aerogels are disclosed which comprise silica and at least one organic polymer having polar functional groups. Also disclosed are methods for making such aerogels and for making them as substantially transparent objects. In addition, gas detectors, liquid and gas absorbing objects, and optical devices made using these aerogels are disclosed. The present invention concerns optical elements which are substantially transparent and exhibit low refractive indices. The invention further relates to detectors of reactive and absorbate gases based on the physical changes exhibited by the aerogels upon reacting with or absorbing such gases. The present invention further concerns printable objects comprising these aerogels, specifically when the print media are imaged by the absorption of liquid and the spatial localization of pigments or dyes. The invention further concerns reactive gas absorbers comprising these aerogels and the catalytic function the aerogels serve to catalyze subsequent chemical reaction.

Abstract: New aerogels are disclosed which comprise silica, at least one organic polymer having polar functional groups, and at least one metal ion. Also disclosed are methods for making such aerogels. The present invention further concerns printable objects comprising these aerogels, specifically when the print media are imaged by the absorption of liquid and the spatial localization of pigments or dyes.

Abstract: New aerogels are disclosed which comprise silica, at least one organic polymer having polar functional groups, and at least one metal ion. Also disclosed are methods for making such aerogels. The present invention further concerns printable objects comprising these aerogels, specifically when the print media are imaged by the absorption of liquid and the spatial localization of pigments or dyes.

Abstract: Aerogels having a monolayer coating are described. The aerogel and a monolayer forming precursor are provided in a supercritical fluid, whereupon the aerogel and the monolayer forming precursor are reacted in said supercritical fluid to form a covalent bond between the aerogel and the monolayer forming precursor. Suitable aerogels are ceramic oxides such as silica, alumina, aluminosilicate, and combinations thereof. Suitable monolayer forming precursors include alkyl silanes, chlorosilanes, boranes, chloroboranes, germanes, and combinations thereof. The method may also include providing a surface preparation agent such as water, or hydroetching an aerogel to enhance the coating of the monolayer.

Abstract: A storage stable composition comprising a carrier usable for the immobilization of compounds containing an amine group, for instance biomolecules and/or affinity ligands. The carrier has been activated to exhibit a squaric acid derivative linked to the carrier and is placed in contact with an aqueous medium. A kit comprising the storage stable composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel compound which can be used in the field of separation and purification of gases is disclosed. The compound can be incorporated into a silica gel incorporating polyazacycloalkane structural units for separating a predetermined gas from a mixture of gases. The mixture of gases is brought into contact with a metallated hybrid gel under conditions which make possible the absorption of the gas to be separated, followed by a phase of desorption of the attached gas, and the recovery of the gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ink follower for a water-base ballpoint pen, which has strong pseudoplasticity by causing HO(C2H4O)m.(C3H6O)nH to interfere with hydrophobic silica which is likely to disperse stably in silicone oil. Moreover, this ink follower for a water-base ballpoint pen keeps its stable performance of little long-term change of its viscosity. In order to improve long-term stability of the water-base ballpoint pen using this ink follower, the ink follower is made to comprise silicone oil, hydrophobic silica and HO(C2H4O)m.(C3H6O)nH (in which each of m and n shows 0 or a positive integer, provided that m+n is not equal to 0).

Abstract: A method for preparing organoclays from smectites for use as rheological control agents and in the preparation of nanocomposites. Typically, the clay is dispersed in water, and a substantially monomolecular layer of a water soluble polymer is applied to the surfaces of the clay. A surfactant is also applied to the clay to modify the surface hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance of the clay, and the organoclay is separated out for subsequent use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nanocomposite for thermal insulation especially for fireproofing purposes, which can be obtained by combining (A) at least 35 wt. % of nanoscaled, optionally surface-modified particles of an inorganic compound; (B) 10-60 wt. % of a compound with at least two functional groups which can react and/or interact with the surface groups of nanoscaled particles (A), (C) 1-40 wt. % of water and/or an organic solvent which has no functional groups or only one which is defined in (B), wherein the above-mentioned percentages relate to the sum of components (A), (B) and (C), and (D)=0-10 wt. % (based on the nanocomposite) of additives.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method of producing organically modified aerogels on a basis of silicon tetrachloride in which: a) a hydrogel is obtained by direct reaction of silicon tetrachloride with water, b) the hydrogel obtained in step a) is surface-modified, and c) the surface-modified gel obtained in step b) is dried.

Abstract: Conventional organophilic clays, when used as rheological additives in oil based invert muds, display marked viscosity loses in the mud when these muds are heated much above 350° F., whereas muds prepared according to the present invention are dramatically more viscosity stable at temperatures through 500° F. The present invention relates to the discovery of oil based invert emulsion drilling fluids that provides more stable drilling fluid viscosity and anti-settling performance over varying temperatures when compared to conventional fluids containing organoclays. As a result, the inventive fluids of this invention are ideal candidates for high temperature applications. This invention in another aspect of this invention is a process for improving the rheological properties of oil well drilling fluids particularly useful for oil-based invert emulsion types of drilling fluids.

Abstract: Dispersibility of thickener is constant for every lot and viscosity difference is little. Fine bubbles existing in the thicker in ink follower are removed. A step of homogenizing the thickener at any temperature within a range of 40° C. to 130° C. is included. Preferably, a step of homogenizing the thickener at any temperature within a range of 100° C. to 130° C. is included.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amorphous inorganic materials having pores of controlled size and shape with one or more spatially organized functional groups formed therein. Much like the active site residues in an enzyme, these functional groups can be positioned in a defined three dimensional relationship within the voids and with respect to each other. By varying both the positions and identities of these functional groups, diverse sets of substrate specific adsorbents and non-biologically-based catalysts can be made.

Abstract: This invention relates to ink follower for a water-base ballpoint pen with its bubbles removed, time-dependent stability, less oil separation, and greatly reduced lot-to-lot viscosity difference and associated performance difference, and a method for manufacturing the same. After addition of thickener, the follower is made depressurized preferably at 0.2 atm or lower. Simultaneous heating and stirring are preferable. When the ink follower is solely debubbled in advance, fine bubbles contained in particulate silica, clay thickener, etc. can be very highly removed even if the centrifugal debubbling is not so strong and there is no bad affection to the writing property of the pen. It is also possible that, after adding the thickener, a centrifugal force greater than or equal to 200-fold of the gravitational acceleration is applied to debubble.

Abstract: New aerogels are disclosed which comprise silica, at least one organic polymer having polar functional groups, and at least one metal ion. Also disclosed are methods for making such aerogels and for making them as substantially transparent objects. In addition, gas detectors, liquid and gas absorbing objects, and optical devices made using these aerogels are disclosed. The present invention concerns optical elements which are substantially transparent and exhibit low refractive indices. The invention also relates to the optical properties of the metal-containing ions, the silica and polymer which they comprise. The optical elements can be passive or they can be active in response to electromagnetic radiation. The invention further relates to detectors of reactive and absorbate gases based on the physical changes exhibited by the aerogels upon reacting with or absorbing such gases.

Abstract: Intercalates formed by contacting a layered material, e.g., a phyllosilicate, with an intercalant surface modifier selected from the group consisting of a compound having an alkyl radical containing at least 6 carbon atoms, a compound containing an aromatic ring, and mixtures thereof, said surface modifier including a matrix material-reactive functional group, to sorb or intercalate the intercalant surface modifier between adjacent platelets of the layered material. Sufficient intercalant surface modifier is sorbed between adjacent platelets to expand the adjacent platelets to at least about 10 Å, up to about 100 Å. The intercalated complex can be combined with an organic liquid into a viscous carrier material, for delivery of the carrier material, or for delivery of an active compound; or the intercalated complex can be combined with a matrix polymer to form a strong, filled polymer matrix.

Abstract: A process for preparing organoclays as thixotropic agents to control the rheology of water-based paints and other aqueous and polar-organic systems. The process relates to treating low-grade clay ores to achieve highly purified organoclays and/or to incorporate surface modifying agents onto the clay by adsorption and/or to produce highly dispersed organoclays without excessive grinding or high shear dispersion. The process involves the treatment of impure, or run-of-mine, clay using an aqueous biphasic extraction system to produce a highly dispersed clay, free of mineral impurities and with modified surface properties brought about by adsorption of the water-soluble polymers used in generating the aqueous biphasic extraction system. This invention purifies the clay to greater than 95%.

Abstract: The inventive process concerns the preparation of organically modified aerogels and their use.The process the invention comprises:a) introducing a siliceous lyogel or hydrogel,b) optionally subjecting the gel prepared in a) to complete or partial solvent exchange with an organic solvent,c) reacting the gel obtained in step a) or b) with at least one silylation agent,d) optionally washing the silylated gel obtained in step c) with an organic solvent, ande) drying the gel obtained in step c) or d) subcritically, which comprises reacting in step c) the gel obtained in step a) or b) with at least one chlorine-free silylation agent.

Abstract: Thermally insulative xerogels and their preparation are described. To obtain these xerogels, an inorganic gel having hydroxyl moieties is reacted with a silicon-nitrogen compound which has a C.sub.1-6 hydrocarbon moiety on the silicon. Shrinkage of the gel during drying the gel is reduced and a more highly porous xerogel is obtained. The more highly porous xerogel has a low thermal conductivity which makes it a good thermal insulation.

Abstract: An organophilic clay thickener for natural oil systems comprising the reaction product of a smectite-type clay and an organic cation in an amount of from about 75% to about 150% of the cation exchange capacity of the smectite-type clay. Said organophilic clay comprising at least one naturally occurring, resulting in increased efficiency as a thickener in natural oil systems.

Abstract: Intercalates formed by contacting a layered material, e.g., a phyllosilicate, with an intercalant surface modifier selected from the group consisting of a compound having an alkyl radical containing at least 6 carbon atoms, a compound containing an aromatic ring, and mixtures thereof, said surface modifier including a matrix material-reactive functional group, to sorb or intercalate the intercalant surface modifier between adjacent platelets of the layered material. Sufficient intercalant surface modifier is sorbed between adjacent platelets to expand the adjacent platelets to at least about 10 .ANG., up to about 100 .ANG.. The intercalated complex can be combined with an organic liquid into a viscous carrier material, for delivery of the carrier material, or for delivery of an active compound; or the intercalated complex can be combined with a matrix polymer to form a strong, filled polymer matrix.

Abstract: An anhydrous zinc antimonate sol comprising a surface-modified anhydrous zinc antimonate colloid particles dispersed in a liquid, the surface-modified anhydrous zinc antimonate colloid particles comprising anhydrous zinc antimonate colloid particles as nuclei and a silicon-containing substance coating surfaces of the colloid particles, the sol containing an amine and/or an hydroxycarboxylic acid and a method for producing the same. The anhydrous zinc antimonate sol of the present invention is useful as transparent antistatic materials for resins, plastics, glasses, paper, and magnetic tapes, etc., transparent ultraviolet absorbents, transparent heat wave absorbents, high refractive index hard coating agents, antireflective agents, and the like.

Abstract: A dispersion composition suitable for a magnetic display which comprises 10 to 30 wt % of magnetic particles having a particle diameter of 10 to 150 .mu.m, 0.01 to 0.5 wt % of an antistatic agent, 1 to 10% by weight of an organic thickening agent, 0.1 to 10% by weight of a colorant and a balance of an organic dispersing medium.

Abstract: Functionalized silicas which can be used as core supports for a broad variety of chiral stationary phases may be conceptually represented as T--O--Si--U. T represents a refractory inorganic oxide, and T--O--Si arises from reaction of an organosilane with the surface hydroxyl groups of the refractory inorganic oxide. U represents a polyamine, related to poly(ethyleneamines), tris(2-aminoethyl) amine, or alkyleneoxyamines of glycerine.

Abstract: Polymer complexes which comprises hydrogen peroxide, a polymer suitable for complex formation with hydrogen peroxide, and at least one metal colloid and/or metal salt are prepared as described and used in bactericidal compositions, disinfectant systems, hair cosmetic compositions and as free-radical initiators for chemical reactions.

Abstract: Liquid comprising from 93 to 100 percent by weight alcohol is removed from silica alcogel at subcritical temperature to produce silica aerogel. The silica aerogel produced by the method of the present invention not only has high porosity, but in most instances it also has a narrow distribution of small pore sizes. The silica aerogel is preferably reduced in size so as to form particulate silica aerogel.