Abstract: A method of preparing a particulate material comprising the steps of adding silicic acid solution, optionally doped with aluminum, optionally added to a slurry of pre-existing nanoparticles at a neutral to slightly acidic pH of no more than seven, and at a temperature of about 20° to 30° C. This yields a polysilicate particulate dispersion. Then, the pH of the dispersion is raised to greater than seven, to stabilize/reinforce particles of the particulate dispersion. Optionally, the particles may be dried, and have increased porosity and surface area.

Abstract: Metal oxide particle agglomerates prepared by adding an aluminum phosphate agglomerating agent with mixing to an aqueous dispersion of metal oxide nanoparticles to form an aqueous homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles and agglomerating agent and then adjusting the pH of the dispersion with mixing to about 3.5 to about 6.5 to produce the particle agglomerates and use of the particle agglomerates to prepare ink receptive coatings, as catalysts, as reinforcing fillers, as polishing abrasives and as flattening agents.