Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a heat insulating material composed of a hydrophobic aerogel, and the method includes the steps of: (1) mixing step; (2) hydrolysis step; (3) condensation step; (4) aging step; and (5) drying step. In the method, a siloxane compound, an inorganic gel, and a halogen-free surfactant are mixed and then a sol-gel process is performed to produce the aerogel heat-insulating material without water-washing. The produced heat-insulating material has preferable strength, smooth appearance, and low shrinkage and can overcome the powder-dropping problem. By the provided method, an aerogel heat-insulating board can be produced, or an aerogel cold-resisting and heat-insulating blanket can be produced by mixing with a fiber or a foam material.

Abstract: Germania-based sol-gel organic-inorganic hybrid coatings were prepared for on-line coupling of capillary microextraction with high-performance liquid chromatography. A germania-based sol-gel precursor, tetra-n-butoxygermane and a hydroxy-terminated triblock copolymer, poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(propylene oxide)-block-poly(ethylene oxide), were chemically anchored to the inner walls of a fused silica capillary (0.25 mm I.D.). Scanning electron microscopy images of the sol-gel germania triblock polymer coating were obtained to estimate the coating thickness. The analyte distribution constants between a sol-gel germania organic-inorganic hybrid coating and the samples (Kcs) were determined. For a variety of analytes from different chemical classes, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), ketones, alcohols, phenols, and amines, the Kcs values ranged from 1.8×101 to 2.0×104. The sol-gel germania triblock polymer coatings survived exposure to high temperature solvent conditions (200° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides polishing control components for anti-fouling paints for vessels which comprise rosin or other water-degradable polymers entrapped in gel particles, such as aerogel or aeromosil particles.

Abstract: A method of preparing a silica aerogel composite is provided. The method includes providing an aqueous solution comprising a water soluble polymeric binder and a surfactant, adding a silyl-modified silica aerogel to the aqueous solution to form a mixture, and freeze-drying the mixture under reduced pressure at a temperature sufficient to sublime water in the mixture to obtain the silica aerogel composite. A silica aerogel composite is also provided.

Abstract: Provided are a solvent-substitution solvent for producing a hydrophobized aerogel and a method for producing a hydrophobized aerogel. The solvent-substitution solvent includes pentanol in an amount of 41 wt % to 100 wt % and n-butanol in an amount of 0 wt % to 59 wt %. The method includes performing a solvent substitution process using the solvent-substitution solvent. If the solvent-substitution solvent is used for solvent substitution and/or hydrophobization in an aerogel production process, water (moisture) contained in a wet gel may be effectively substituted with the solvent-substitution solvent, and the solvent-substitution solvent may easily be collected at a high degree of purity and may be reused if necessary. Therefore, the rate of solvent loss may be minimized.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed herein are hybrid silica aerogels containing non-polymeric, functional organic materials covalently bonded at one or both ends to the silica network of the aerogels through a C—Si bond between a carbon atom of the organic material and a silicon atom of the aerogel network. Methods of their preparation are also disclosed.

Abstract: An amalgam comprising a highly porous, carbon-enveloped structure, such as aerogel. The carbon dispersion within the aerogel substrate consists of sonicated (using ultrasonic cleanser) carbon nanotubes, which can be inserted into the aerogel/xerogel through various techniques. Procedures include mixture of nanotubes to any aerogel/xerogel preparation solution prior and/or during solgel/alcogel stage; addition of nanotubes to aerogel during any solvent exchange with liquids (ethanol, etc.) or gas (carbon dioxide, etc.) as a solgel/alcogel; permeation of vapor containing nanotubes (by way of carbon burning using the Kratchmer-Huffman, or any other related, similar machine) in aerogel/solgel/alcogel/xerogel pore structure and/or preparation solutions; intravenous introduction of nanotubes, manually or by way of any conveyance device (i.e. syringe) to finished aerogels/xerogels or solgels/alcogels.

Abstract: A process comprises (a) providing (1) at least one sample suspected of comprising at least one coliform strain, (2) at least one culture device comprising at least one culture medium that is hydrated or hydratable, and (3) at least one particulate concentration agent that is substantially optically transparent when in contact with the culture medium in the culture device when the culture medium is hydrated; (b) placing the particulate concentration agent in contact with the sample such that at least a portion of the coliform strain is bound to the particulate concentration agent to form coliform-bound particulate concentration agent; (c) placing the coliform-bound particulate concentration agent in contact with the culture medium; (d) incubating the culture device comprising the coliform-bound particulate concentration agent in contact with the culture medium, the culture medium being hydrated; and (e) optically detecting the presence of the coliform strain without separating the coliform strain from the part

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuumable gel and the gel use to decontaminate surfaces, for example, radioactive decontamination. The gel is composed of a colloidal solution comprising: from 5 to 25 wt % of an inorganic viscosity modifier; from 0.01 to 0.2 wt % of a surfactant, preferably, a surfactant in an amount strictly below 0.1 wt %, wt % relative to the total weight of the gel; from 0.5 to 7 mol, per liter of gel, of an inorganic acid or base; and optionally from 0.05 to 1 mol, per liter of gel, of an oxidizer having a standard redox potential Eo greater than 1.4 V in a strong acid medium or of the reduced form of this oxidizer; the remainder being water. The gel may be applied, by spraying, to a surface to be decontaminated, and removed in the form of dry residues by suction or brushing after drying.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for deinking printed waste paper comprising the steps of: a) converting the printed waste paper to an aqueous pulp slurry in a pulper, where ink is detached from paper pulp; b) subjecting the pulp slurry to flotation in order to remove hydrophobic contaminants including ink from the pulp slurry, said flotation being carried out in the presence of a deinking chemical additive comprising modified silica obtained by treating hydrophilic silica particles with a hydrophobic organic liquid or modified metal silicate obtained by treating hydrophilic metal silicate particles with a hydrophobic organic liquid or a mixture of such modified silica and modified metal silicate. The present invention increases the yield of the flotation step without affecting the brightness of the flotation accept.

Abstract: A method for preparing carbon aerogels and carbon aerogels obtained therefrom are disclosed. The method for preparing carbon aerogels comprises: mixing organic starting materials including phloroglucinol and furfural with a solvent capable of dissolving the organic materials in a predetermined ratio to form a sol solution; adjusting pH of the sol solution adequately by using an acidic or basic catalyst, gelling the sol solution at room temperature under atmospheric pressure, and aging the resultant gels; substituting the solvent in thus obtained gels with liquid carbon dioxide, followed by drying in a supercritical state, to form organic aerogels; and pyrolyzing the organic aerogels in an electric furnace under inert atmosphere to obtain carbon aerogels. Particularly, the gels are formed at room temperature in a short period of time by adequately adjusting pH of the sol solution. Therefore, the method provides improved time efficiency and energy efficiency as compared to existing methods for preparing gels.

Abstract: Nanoporous sol-gel derived monoliths and methods for making nanoporous sol-gel derived monoliths are provided. The methods enable fine control over pore size and pore size distribution, e.g., so that pore sizes can be predetermined and precisely tuned over a range from 0.3 nm to about 30 nm, or over a range from about 0.3 nm to about 10 nm. The monoliths may be derived from any suitable sol-gel, but in some instances they are derived from silica sol-gels. The sol-gel derived monoliths with finely tunable pore sizes and narrow pore size distributions may be used for a variety of applications, e.g., as substrates or templates for high surface area electrodes, as substrates for high surface area sensor, or as a component in a filtration apparatus.

Abstract: Hardener for curing of epoxy resins which produces materials with high abrasion resistance, photostability and chemical resistance, comprising a sol prepared by controlled hydrolysis and condensation of compounds of the type: (X—B—)nSi(—Y)4-n where n=1 or 2, X?SH, —N?C?O, or NR1R2, R1, R2 being chosen from hydrogen, saturated or unsaturated C1-C18-alkyl, substituted or non-substituted aryl, formyl, aliphatic or aromatic carbonyl, carbamoyl, sulphonyl, sulphoxyl, phosphonyl, sulphinyl, phosphinyl, while the carbon chains of said compounds may include one or more of the elements oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, silicon and boron, and/or may include one or more hydrolysable silane units, or R1, R2 are chosen from condensation products or addition products of one or more types or chemical compounds such as acids, alcohols, phenols, amines, aldehydes or epoxides; B is a spacing group chosen from saturated or unsaturated C1-C18-alkylene, substituted or nonsubstituted arylene, while the carbon chains of the st

Abstract: A thixotropic gel suitable for use in subsurface bioremediation is provided along with a process of using the gel. The thixotropic gel provides a non-migrating injectable substrate that can provide below ground barrier properties. In addition, the gel components provide for a favorable environment in which certain contaminants are preferentially sequestered in the gel and subsequently remediated by either indigenous or introduced microorganisms.

Abstract: A method for producing nanoparticles of a selected size includes selecting an organic solvent based upon a molar volume of the organic solvent, the selected nanoparticle size, and a known relationship between the molar volume and the selected nanoparticle size, and producing nanoparticles having the selected size in a water-in-oil microemulsion comprising the selected organic solvent.

Abstract: An aqueous polysilicate composition comprising a polysilicate microgel based component in association with particles derived from colloidal polysilicate. The invention also concerns a process for preparing an aqueous polysilicate composition comprising mixing an aqueous colloidal polysilicate with an aqueous phase of a polysilicate microgel. The aqueous polysilicate composition is more effective than colloidal silica and is more stable than a conventional polysilicate microgel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gelling liquid propane and other liquefied gasses includes a temperature controlled churn mixer, vacuum pump, liquefied gas transfer tank, and means for measuring amount of material entering the mixer. The apparatus and method are particularly useful for the production of high quality rocket fuels and propellants.

Abstract: The invention relates to coated particles comprising particles and a crosslinked polysiloxane coating and to a process for the manufacture of said coated particles. Further, the invention relates to the use of the coated particles to improve surface properties of articles and to material compositions comprising the coated particles, in particular coating compositions. According to the invention there is provided coated particles comprising particles having a surface with hydroxy functional groups and a crosslinked polysiloxane coating comprising a reaction product of polysiloxane disilanol according to formula I: wherein n is 1 to 25, and wherein each R is a same or different hydrocarbon group, and a coating crosslinking agent, preferably an alkoxysiloxane having 3 or 4 alkoxy groups which polysiloxane coating is at least partly grafted to the particle surface by reaction with the hydroxy functional groups on the particles.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods of preparing stable colloidal dispersions of nanoparticulate size fumed silica particles. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of rapidly wetting and dispersing fumed silica powder for obtaining a coatable dispersion, particularly in the manufacture of inkjet media.

Abstract: Methods of sol-gel processing for the preparation of mixed gels and nanoparticles are described. Further, mixed gels and nanoparticles obtained by the method are also disclosed. More specifically, a process for mixture of NiO nanoparticles and Yttria stabilized Zirconia nanoparticles obtained by only one sol-gel process is described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of gels. The invention also relates to an improved method for manufacturing gels. In particular the invention relates to a new class of material, fluid-bicontinuous particle-stabilized gels, and a method of making the same. The fluid-bicontinuous particle-stabilized gels comprise at least a first fluid, a second fluid, and a continuous layer of particles positioned at a continuous interface between the first fluid and the second fluid.

Abstract: A method of forming an organic silica-based film, including: applying a composition for forming an insulating film for a semiconductor device, which is cured by using heat and ultraviolet radiation, to a substrate to form a coating; heating the coating; and applying heat and ultraviolet radiation to the coating to effect a curing treatment, wherein the composition includes organic silica sol having a carbon content of 11.8 to 16.7 mol %, and an organic solvent, the organic silica sol being a hydrolysis-condensation product produced by hydrolysis and condensation of a silane compound selected from compounds shown by the general formulae (1): R1Si(OR2)3, (2): Si(OR3)4, (3): (R4)2Si(OR5)2, and (4): R6b(R7O)3-bSi—(R10)d—Si(OR8)3-cR9c.

Abstract: This invention relates to silica aerogels and to a method for their preparation from rice husk. Rice husk is very rich in silica, and its ash can contain up to 92-97% of amorphous silica. The rice husk ash is prepared by burning the rice husk on a heating plate with excess air until the white ash is obtained. Silica from rice ash husk is in a very active form and has been found to be a very potential starting material for silica aerogels.

Abstract: Provided are emulsions and foam compositions that include patchy particles having at least two different surface chemistries, such as Janus particles. Also provided are methods of stabilizing emulsions and foam compositions by adding patchy particles to such emulsions or foam compositions during the process of forming such emulsions or foam compositions or after formation thereof. Further provided are methods of controlling droplet size in an emulsion or foam composition by adding patch particles having at least two different surface chemistries to the emulsion or foam composition. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an aerogel that contains a filler and has an extremely low thermal conductivity. The aerogel moulded body contains an inorganic filler with a thermal conductivity of up to 0.5 Wm?1K?1.

Abstract: Mesoscopically ordered, hydrothermally stable metal oxide-block copolymer composite or mesoporous materials are described herein that are formed by using amphiphilic block polymers which act as structure directing agents for the metal oxide in a self-assembling system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of monolithic xerogels and aerogels of silica/latex hybrids under subcritical conditions. In the two-stage synthesis of these alcogels in the presence of an acid-base catalyst, the hydrolysis and polycondensation of a silicon alkoxide are carried out in an organic medium containing excess water. A latex consisting of polybutyl methacrylate and polybutyl acrylate, modified with alkoxysilane groups, is first synthesized and then incorporated in the mixture either in the first stage in order to effect its co-hydrolysis with the silicon alkoxide, or in the second stage to effect its co-condensation with the previously hydrolysed colloidal silica. The resulting alcogels are aged, washed, and dried under subcritical conditions. This process gives hybrid products containing 0.1-50 wt-% of latex and having a density of 300-1300 kg/m3, a porosity of 40-85%, a specific surface area of 400-900 m2/g and a mean pore diameter of 2-12 nm.

Abstract: A composition formulated to form a non-smooth surface on a substrate surface at least after the composition has been applied to the substrate and has substantially dried or set. The composition including a first and second set of colloidal particles. Each of the first and second sets of colloidal particles includes a plurality of colloidal particles. The first set of colloidal particles can have an average particle size that is greater than the average size of the second set of particles. The number of colloidal particles in the second set of colloidal particles can be greater than the number of colloidal particles in the first set of colloidal particles. One or more of the colloidal particles can be modified to include one or more hydrocarbon chains.

Abstract: Use of silica sols containing sulfonic acid groups and/or mercapto groups as microparticles in paper production, in particular for paper retention.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to polysilicate microgels. More specifically, the invention relates to a process for preparing aqueous polysilicate microgels which comprises mixing an aqueous solution of alkali metal silicate with an aqueous phase of silica-based material having a pH of 11 or less, to polysilicate microgels per se and to the use thereof as flocculating agents in paper making and water purification. The invention further relates to a process for the production of paper from a suspension of cellulosic fibers, and optional filler, which comprises adding to the suspension at least one cationic or amphoteric organic polymer and a polysilicate microgel, forming and draining the suspension on a wire.

Abstract: The present invention provides a generalizable single-source sol-gel precursor capable of introducing a wide range of functionalities to metal oxides such as silica. The sol-gel precursor facilitates a one-molecule, one-step approach to the synthesis of metal-silica hybrids with combinations of biological, catalytic, magnetic, and optical functionalities. The single-source precursor also provides a flexible route for simultaneously incorporating functional species of many different types. The ligands employed for functionalizing the metal oxides are derived from a library of amino acids, hydroxy acids, or peptides and a silicon alkoxide, allowing many biological functionalities to be built into silica hybrids. The ligands can coordinate with a wide range of metals via a carboxylic acid, thereby allowing direct incorporation of inorganic functionalities from across the periodic table.

Abstract: A method for producing nanoparticles of a selected size includes selecting an organic solvent based upon a molar volume of the organic solvent, the selected nanoparticle size, and a known relationship between the molar volume and the selected nanoparticle size, and producing nanoparticles having the selected size in a water-in-oil microemulsion comprising the selected organic solvent.

Abstract: Ultraporous sol gel monoliths and methods for preparing the same are provided, having superior flow characteristics for chromatography and analytical chemistry applications. The methods for forming an ultra porous sol-gel monolith include (a) forming a solution comprising a porogen, a matrix dissolving catalyst and a sol gel precursor; (b) allowing the solution to form a gel; and (c) drying the gel at an elevated temperature. The ultraporous sol gel monoliths are characterized by a porosity of up to about 97%, a BET surface area of at least about 50 m2/g and substantially no micropores.

Abstract: An aqueous polysilicate composition comprising a polysilicate microgel based component in association with particles derived from colloidal polysilicate. The invention also concerns a process for preparing an aqueous polysilicate composition comprising mixing an aqueous colloidal polysilicate with an aqueous phase of a polysilicate microgel. The aqueous polysilicate composition is more effective than colloidal silica and is more stable than a conventional polysilicate microgel.

Abstract: A nanoparticle has at least one dimension less than 500 nm and comprises a silica surface and a plurality of zwitterionic functional groups covalently bound to the silica surface. Such nanoparticles and dispersions contain such nanoparticle are prepared and used for a variety of purposes.

Abstract: Amorphous porous solid of an acidic nature, with a controlled pore size, essentially consisting of a mixed oxide of silicon, aluminum and phosphorous, having a surface area of at least 200 m2/g, which can be used as a catalyst or active carrier of a catalyst for various industrial processes, such as, for example, alkylation, isomerization, hydro-dehydrogenation processes, with an improved activity and selectivity with respect to the traditional amorphous silica-alumina gels.

Abstract: This invention discloses improvements that can be achieved in thermal or mechanical performance of aerogel composites via densification. Densified aerogels and aerogel composites can display higher compressive strength, modulus, flexural strength, and maintains or insubstantially increases the thermal conductivity relative to the pre-densified form. In the special case of fiber reinforced aerogel composites densification via mechanical compression can prove highly beneficial.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stabilized silica colloidal crystals. In particular, the present invention relates to silica colloidal crystals having improved mechanical strength and durability. The present invention also relates to methods of making stabilized silica colloidal crystals by direct bonding between nanoparticles or between a polymer and nanoparticles through a siloxane bond.

Abstract: Methods of sol-gel processing for preparing of gels and nanoparticles are described. The invention also relates to gels and nanoparticles prepared by the described methods. A preferable embodiment describes ZrO2 nanoparticles produced by sol gel processing by using sucrose and pectin as polymerization agents.

Abstract: New silica gel materials and novel methods of producing such are provided. The method itself entails a manner of mixing the reactants together in a one-pot process such that the time required for aging is reduced without compromising the ability to target pore size production. In such a way, the pH of the reaction drives pore size development, thereby permitting a more efficient process to be followed in terms of expensive drying/heating steps being reduced timewise, if not altogether. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the resultant gel materials exhibit a certain pore size minimum while simultaneously exhibiting a degree of softness heretofore unavailable. As such, not only is this novel method more efficient in silica gel manufacture, but the resultant materials are completely novel as well. The gel materials made therefrom may be utilized in a variety of different end uses, such as cooking oil filtration, soft skin cleansers, dental abrasives, and the like.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for converting silica to polysilicate gels or hydrogels by combining an aqueous silica source with a CO2 feed stream as the gel initiator, whereby the reaction stream is propelled at high velocity and turbulence maintaining the CO2 uptake rate in the reaction stream. The invention also relates to a process for converting silica to polysilicate by pre-carbonating water at pressures of equal to or greater than 100 psig before initiating the polysilicate reaction.

Abstract: A radiation diffractive material that diffracts radiation according to Bragg's law is disclosed. The material includes an ordered periodic array of diffracting regions received within a matrix, the matrix comprising an inorganic sol-gel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an aerogel that contains a filler and has an extremely low thermal conductivity. The aerogel moulded body contains an inorganic filler with a thermal conductivity of up to 0.5 Wm?1K?1.

Abstract: A method for producing a functionalized silica,compositions and methods for forming curable silicone rubber compositions by using the functionalized silica are also disclosed. Compositions and methods for forming cured silicone resin compositions and products having high transparency, high tensile strength, desirable percent elongation, or a combination of the foregoing properties are also disclosed.

Abstract: Ultraporous sol gel monoliths and methods for preparing the same are provided, having superior flow characteristics for chromatography and analytical chemistry applications. The methods for forming an ultra porous sol-gel monolith include (a) forming a solution comprising a porogen, a matrix dissolving catalyst and a sol gel precursor; (b) allowing the solution to form a gel; and (c) drying the gel at an elevated temperature. The ultraporous sol gel monoliths are characterized by a porosity of up to about 97%, a BET surface area of at least about 50 m2/g and substantially no micropores.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods of preparing stable colloidal dispersions of nanoparticulate size fumed silica particles. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of rapidly wetting and dispersing fumed silica powder for obtaining a coatable dispersion, particularly in the manufacture of inkjet media.

Abstract: A composition formulated to form a non-smooth surface on a substrate surface at least after the composition has been applied to the substrate and has substantially dried or set. The composition including a first and second set of colloidal particles. Each of the first and second sets of colloidal particles includes a plurality of colloidal particles. The first set of colloidal particles can have an average particle size that is greater than the average size of the second set of particles. The number of colloidal particles in the second set of colloidal particles can be greater than the number of colloidal particles in the first set of colloidal particles. One or more of the colloidal particles can be modified to include one or more hydrocarbon chains.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of monolithic xerogels and aerogels of silica/latex hybrids under subcritical conditions. In the two-stage synthesis of these alcogels in the presence of an acid-base catalyst, the hydrolysis and polycondensation of a silicon alkoxide are carried out in an organic medium containing excess water. A latex consisting of polybutyl methacrylate and polybutyl acrylate, modified with alkoxysilane groups, is first synthesized and then incorporated in the mixture either in the first stage in order to effect its co-hydrolysis with the silicon alkoxide, or in the second stage to effect its co-condensation with the previously hydrolysed colloidal silica. The resulting alcogels are aged, washed, and dried under subcritical conditions. This process gives hybrid products containing 0.1-50 wt-% of latex and having a density of 300-1300 kg/m3, a porosity of 40-85%, a specific surface area of 400-900 m2/g and a mean pore diameter of 2-12 nm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of gels. The invention also relates to an improved method for manufacturing gels. In particular the invention relates to a new class of material, fluid-bicontinuous particle-stabilised gels, and a method of making the same. The fluid-bicontinuous particle-stabilised gels comprise at least a first fluid, a second fluid, and a continuous layer of particles positioned at a continuous interface between the first fluid and the second fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a catalyst for the polymerization of olefins, which comprises: a) preparation of a finely divided silica xerogel, b) loading of the xerogel with chromium from a solution of chromium trioxide or a chromium compound which is converted into chromium trioxide under the conditions of step c), and c) activation of the resulting product at from 400 to 1100° C. in a water-free gas stream comprising oxygen in a concentration of above 10% by volume, wherein a fluoride doping with a fluorinating agent is carried out in step b) or in step c). Furthermore, the invention relates to a catalyst for the polymerization of olefins which is obtainable by the process of the invention and to a process for the polymerization of olefins in which an olefin or an olefin mixture is polymerized in the presence of a catalyst according to the invention.