Abstract: A process for producing a charge-reversed aqueous silica sol includes: (a) providing a slurry of an acidic cation-exchange solid in an aqueous liquid; (b) providing a starting aqueous silica sol with an alkaline pH and including a monovalent cation(s); (c) contacting the slurry with the starting sol; (d) separating the acidic cation-exchange solid from the mixture (c) to leave a decationised aqueous silica sol with an acidic pH and a reduced monovalent cation(s) content compared to the starting sol; and (e) contacting the decationised sol with a compound(s) including a modifying element(s) that can adopt a +3 or +4 oxidation state to produce a charge-reversed aqueous silica sol whose silica particles include the modifying element(s) on their surface. The S-value of the starting sol is from about 10 to about 50%, and the surface area of colloidal silica particles in the starting sol is at least about 500 m2 g?1.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of carboxylic acid during the preparation of precipitated silica or a suspension of precipitated silica and to the precipitated silicas thus obtained, particularly with low water uptake, which can be used, for example, as a reinforcing filler in silicon matrices.

Abstract: A composition, such as a catalyst precursor or a catalyst comprising a Cr coated silica support with particularly defined levels of Na and Al, such that the resulting Cr/Silica catalyst has an increased MI potential is disclosed. In an embodiment, the disclosed catalyst composition comprises a silica-containing substrate made using a base-set gel and comprising a catalytically active metal consisting of Cr, with Al impurities of less than 50 ppm and Na in an amount of less than 800 ppm of the catalyst composition. The disclosed composition has an increased MI potential over a catalyst having higher Al content, a lower Na:Al ratio, or both. Methods of making the disclosed composition, and methods of using it to prepare a polyethylene are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite glue composed of a hydrophobic aerogel according to the present invention includes: (S1) mixing step; (S2) hydrolysis step; (S3) condensation step; (S4) aging step; (S5) high-temperature pulse washing step; (S6) drying step; and (S7) composition step. The obtained composite glue composed of a hydrophobic aerogel is high-viscosity glue made by blending the hydrophobic aerogel with an inorganic fiber, and the related product not only has good properties of cold resisting and heat insulating, but also is light and has appropriate strength, excellent flame retardancy, and excellent water repellency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aerogel composite powder superior in thermal insulation and flexibility, the aerogel composite powder comprising an aerogel component and a silica particle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing functionalised bimodal periodic mesoporous organosilicates (PMOs) by means of pseudomorphic transformation, to functionalised bimodal periodic mesoporous organosilicates (PMOs) that comprise at least one organosilicate and at least one functional component, and to the use of the PMO as a filter material, adsorption means, sensor material or carrier material for pharmaceutical products, insecticides or pesticides.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a particle containing at least a volatile substance comprising a core comprising at least one matrix material and the at least one volatile substance and at least one coating layer, whereby a first coating layer is a non-confluent layer comprising at least a carrier material, whereby optionally the non-confluent layer contains at least one hydrophobic substance, and optionally the particle is surrounded by at least one confluent layer and/or further non-confluent layer(s) as well as to a process for producing the same.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing an aerogel, an acid is added to a first aqueous high-molar-ratio silicate solution that includes silica particles having a mean particle diameter of from 1 nm to 10 nm and that is alkaline, to produce a gel. The gel is subjected to a dehydration condensation to obtain a hydrogel. The hydrogel is converted into a hydrophobized gel. Then, the hydrophobized gel is dried. According to the method, an aerogel having a pore volume of from 3.00 cc/g to 10 cc/g, a mean pore diameter of from 10 nm to 68 nm, and a specific surface area of from 200 m2/g to 475 m2/g can be prepared.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a rapid and economically viable process which is notable for efficient use of material, especially of the silylating agent, and by means of which organically modified lyo- or aerogels are obtained in a rapid and simple manner. This object is achieved by virtue of the invention providing a process for producing organically modified gels selected from lyo- and aerosols by (i) emulsifying a basic polar phase comprising water and starting materials for silicatic gels in a nonpolar phase containing a water-immiscible precursor for an active silylating agent, (ii) starting formation of gel and ageing by lowering the pH, and then (iii) starting the silylation and the exchange of solvent by lowering the pH. If the gels are aerogels, the gels provided can be used for thermal and/or acoustic insulation.

Abstract: Provided are a method of preparing a metal oxide-silica composite aerogel, which includes preparing metal oxide-silica composite precipitates by adding a metal salt solution to a silicate solution and performing a reaction, and washing the metal oxide-silica composite precipitates with a washing solvent having a surface tension at 20±5° C. of 30 mN/m or less and drying the washed metal oxide-silica composite precipitates, and a metal oxide-silica composite aerogel having increased specific surface area and pore properties as well as tap density, which is significantly reduced by a maximum of 78.6% in comparison to a composite aerogel prepared by using water as a typical washing solvent, prepared by the method.

Abstract: An aerogel particle is produced by following processes. A mixing process: an alkoxysilane compound is mixed with an organic solvent to form a first mixed solution. A hydrolysis process: an acid catalyst is added into the first mixed solution to perform a hydrolysis reaction, thereby obtaining a sol. A condensation process: an alkali catalyst is added into the sol to perform a condensation reaction, and a hydrophobic dispersion solvent is added and stirred during the condensation process, thereby subjecting sol to be gelled when it is stirred, further producing the aerogel particle with a uniform structure.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide an economically viable process for the production of hydrophobized aerogels which works both inexpensively and in a resource-conserving manner. 2.2. This object is achieved by the provision of a process for producing organically modified aerogels by producing a sol containing [SiO4/2] units and [RxSiO(4?X)/2] a units, where x may be the same or different and is 1, 2 or 3, and R may be the same or different and is hydrogen or an organic substituted or unsubstituted radical, using the sol to form a gel, surface-modifying the gel obtained in the presence of more than 0.1% by weight of a phase modifier in a mixture comprising organosiloxane and initiator, wherein the mixture contains at least 20% by weight of organosiloxane and wherein the initiator consists of acid or organosiloxane or mixtures thereof and the gels obtained are dried. 2.3. The aerogels provided can be used as insulating materials, especially in thermal insulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aerogel composite comprising an aerogel component and a silica particle, and being superior in thermal insulation properties and flexibility.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an aerogel having a thermal conductivity of 0.03 W/m·K or less and a compressive elasticity modulus of 2 MPa or less at 25° C. under atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing an inorganic aerogel, the process comprising the steps of providing a composition (I) suitable to form an inorganic gel with a gelation time tG, spraying the composition (I) into supercritical carbon dioxide at a spraying time tS to obtain gel particles, and drying the gel particles obtained in step (ii) by supercritical liquid extraction, wherein the ratio tS:tG is in the range of from 0.2 to 0.99. The present invention further is directed to the inorganic aerogel as such as well as the use of the inorganic aerogel according to the invention in particular for medical and pharmaceutical applications or for thermal insulation.

Abstract: Provided are a method of preparing a metal oxide-silica composite aerogel, which includes preparing metal oxide-silica composite precipitates by adding a metal salt solution to a silicate solution and performing a reaction, and drying the metal oxide-silica composite precipitates by irradiation with infrared rays in a wavelength range of 2 ?m to 8 ?m, and a metal oxide-silica composite aerogel having excellent physical properties, such as low tap density and high specific surface area, as well as excellent pore properties prepared by the method.

Abstract: A process of providing a coating having a hydrophobic, electrically conductive porous metallic surface on a substrate includes forming a metal-infused plastic lattice that includes a plastic lattice infused with metal particles, and then removing the plastic lattice from the metal-infused plastic lattice. A surface of at least some of the metal particles is textured to increase hydrophobicity by exposing the surface to laser light. In some embodiments, the metal particles are exposed to laser light from a femtosecond pulse laser to produce hydrophobic metal particles before the metal-infused plastic lattice is formed. In other embodiments, the surface of at least some of the metal particles is exposed to laser light from a femtosecond pulse laser after the metal-infused plastic lattice is formed.

Abstract: A improved sol-gel process is described for the production of silica aerogels, in particular from plant raw materials, in particular from rice processing waste.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing an aerogel, an acid is added to a first aqueous high-molar-ratio silicate solution that includes silica particles having a mean particle diameter of from 1 nm to 10 nm and that is alkaline, to produce a gel. The gel is subjected to a dehydration condensation to obtain a hydrogel. The hydrogel is converted into a hydrophobized gel. Then, the hydrophobized gel is dried. According to the method, an aerogel having a pore volume of from 3.00 cc/g to 10 cc/g, a mean pore diameter of from 10 nm to 68 nm, and a specific surface area of from 200 m2/g to 475 m2/g can be prepared.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing spherical silica aerogel granules and spherical silica aerogel granules prepared thereby. The method for preparing spherical silica aerogel granules, which is suitable for mass production because droplets of a water glass solution are uniformly dispersed with a uniform size in a non-aqueous solvent using a surfactant in a certain step to reduce a process time and enhance productivity, may be provided. The spherical silica aerogel granules having a uniform size prepared by the method may be provided, wherein the spherical silica aerogel granules have a high working property and excellent flowability.

Abstract: The system for preparing silica aerogel comprises a raw material supply part transferring at least one raw material of de-ionized water, water glass, a surface modifier, an inorganic acid, and an organic solvent to a mixing part, the mixing part mixing the raw materials transferred from the raw material supply part to produce silica wet gel, a separating part separating at least one raw material of the raw materials from the mixture containing the silica wet gel transferred from the mixing part, a drying part drying the silica wet gel transferred from the separating part to produce the silica aerogel, a recovery part recovering a portion of the vaporized raw material of the raw materials used in at least one of the mixing part and the drying part, and a heat transfer part transferring heat to at least one of the mixing part and the drying part.

Abstract: A component includes a substrate formed from a metallic or ceramic material and a thermal barrier coating positioned on the substrate. The component also includes a ceramic reflective coating integral with the thermal barrier coating. The reflective coating includes an arrangement of features configured to reflect at a wavelength at which peak emission from a heat source occurs. A method of making a component includes positioning a thermal barrier coating on the component and determining a wavelength emitted from a heat source. The method of making a component also includes producing an arrangement of features using a metamaterial to form a reflective coating and integrating the reflective coating with the thermal barrier coating.

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: The method of producing stannous oxide includes: a Sn ion-containing acid solution forming step (S01); a first neutralizing step (S02), which is a step of forming Sn precipitates by adding one or more of alkaline solutions of ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, and aqueous ammonia to the Sn ion-containing acid solution to retain pH at 3-6 therein; a Sn precipitate separating step (S03); a Sn precipitate dispersing step (S04), which is a step of dispersing the separated Sn precipitates in a solvent liquid to obtain a dispersion liquid; and a second neutralizing step (S06), which is a step of forming SnO by adding an alkaline solution to the dispersion liquid of the Sn precipitates and then by heating, wherein Na, K, Pb, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Al, Mg, Ca, Cr, Mn, Co, In, and Cd reside in the Sn ion-containing acid solution in the first neutralizing step (S02).

Abstract: A sealant composition is provided; the sealant composition comprises latex emulsion, nanoporous particles, surfactant, anti-freezing agent, wetting agent, and water. The sealant composition of the present application achieves a good sealing performance for the puncture of the tire. Furthermore, the sealant composition is easy to use and non-perishable, and has a long shelf life, which endows the sealant composition with a good market prospect.

Abstract: A panel assembly that includes a core having first and second opposing major surfaces, a first laminate skin secured to the first major surface of the core, a second laminate skin secured to the second major surface of the core, and at least a first layer of polyimide aerogel incorporated into one of the first laminate skin or the second laminate skin.

Abstract: A gel composition for air freshening or disinfecting, comprising a silicon alkoxide or colloidal silica, a volatile or gaseous fragrance and/or disinfectant, water, an acid or base catalyst, a water-soluble solvent, and optionally other volatile components and additives, and a method for preparing the same. The gel can be transparent or colored, has a homogeneous texture and a soft to rigid structure, and contains volatile or gaseous components from 0 vol % to 85 vol % for scented materials (fragrance and oils) and/or 0-8000 ppm of disinfectant, which are released at a steady rate under ambient conditions, controlled by the shape and opening of the gel container. Botanicals or plastic decorations may be added into the gel to improve its aesthetic appeal. The preparation method is easier and requires less energy consumption and the gel is used as an air freshener or disinfectant.

Abstract: Graphene aerogels with high conductivity and surface areas including a method for making a graphene aerogel, including the following steps: (1) preparing a reaction mixture comprising a graphene oxide suspension and at least one catalyst; (2) curing the reaction mixture to produce a wet gel; (3) drying the wet gel to produce a dry gel; and (4) pyrolyzing the dry gel to produce a graphene aerogel. Applications include electrical energy storage including batteries and supercapacitors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing aerogels, comprising the following successive steps: a) formation or casting of a sol in a reactor, optionally in the presence of a reinforcing material and/or an additive, b) complete gelling of the sol into a lyogel; c) optionally hydrophobization of the lyogel resulting in a hydrophobized lyogel; d) drying of the optionally hydrophobized lyogel so as to obtain an aerogel; said process being characterized in that the complete gelling step b) comprises dielectric heating by microwave or high-frequency electromagnetic irradiation, inducing an increase in temperature so as to reach a set temperature for complete gelling Tb in a range of from 100° C. to 200° C., preferably from 100° C. to 150° C., the temperature Tb being maintained in this range for a period of time U sufficient to attain complete gelling of the lyogel, and more particularly the end of syneresis of the lyogel.

Abstract: A heat-insulation material does not cause deterioration in heat-insulation performance and any loss of components included therein, and possesses an excellent radiation-preventing function. The heat-insulation material includes: a first heat-insulation layer that includes a first silica xerogel and a first radiation-preventing material; and a third heat-insulation layer that includes a third silica xerogel and second fibers, wherein the first heat-insulation layer and the third heat-insulation layer are layered. An electronic device includes the heat-insulation material. Yet further disclosed is a method for producing the heat-insulation material.

Abstract: A method of preparing a metal nanorod. The method includes seeding a metal nanoparticle within the lumen of a nanotube, and growing a metal nanorod from the seeded metal nanoparticle to form a metal nanorod-nanotube composite. In some cases, the nanotube includes metal binding ligands attached to the inner surface. Growing of the metal nanorod includes incubating the seeded nanotube in a solution that includes: a metal source for the metal in the metal nanorod, the metal source including an ion of the metal; a coordinating ligand that forms a stable complex with the metal ion; a reducing agent for reducing the metal ion, and a capping agent that stabilizes atomic monomers of the metal. Compositions derived from the method are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a porous monolith polymeric composition having utility in catalysis, chromatography, filtration, and electro-kinetic pumps, devices incorporating such composition and methods of making and using such monoliths. In some embodiments the monoliths can include a skeletal core having a substantially homogeneous polymeric composition of two or more organic silane monomers and pores that define an interstitial volume in the skeletal core. The pores can include macropores and less than 5% of the interstitial volume can be mesopores. Such monoliths can, in some embodiments, be disposed in a housing having at least one wall that defines a chamber such that all fluid flowing into the chamber passes through the pores of the monolith.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a single crystal according to a CZ method, including: pre-examining a correlation between an Al/Li ratio in a quartz raw material powder used for producing the quartz crucible, a use time of the crucible, a devitrification ratio at the use time, and occurrence or nonoccurrence of melt leakage attributable to the devitrification part; setting a range of the devitrification ratio of the quartz crucible in order not to generate the melt leakage, and determining a maximum use time of the quartz crucible according to the Al/Li ratio so as to fall within the set range of the ratio, on the basis of the correlation; and growing the single crystal by using the quartz crucible in the range of the maximum use time. This provides a manufacturing method which can efficiently use a quartz crucible to grow a single crystal while preventing occurrence of melt leakage.

Abstract: Provided are a method for preparing a hydrophobic silica aerogel by the combined use of a first surface modifier and a second surface modifier, and a hydrophobic silica aerogel prepared by using the method. A hydrophobic silica aerogel having excellent physical properties and pore characteristics as well as a high degree of hydrophobicity may be prepared with high efficiency by the preparation method according to the present invention.

Abstract: A carbon oxides conversion process includes reacting a carbon oxide containing process gas containing hydrogen and/or steam and containing at least one of hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst including shaped units formed from a reduced and passivated catalyst powder, the powder including copper in the range 10-80% by weight, zinc oxide in the range 20-90% by weight, alumina in the range 5-60% by weight and optionally one or more oxidic promoter compounds selected from compounds of Mg, Cr, Mn, V, Ti, Zr, Ta, Mo, W, Si and rare earths in the range 0.01-10% by weight, wherein said shaped units have a reduced to as-made mean horizontal crush strength ratio of ?0.5:1 and a copper surface area above 60 m2/g Cu.

Abstract: The synthetic amorphous silica powder of the present invention is obtained by applying a spheroidizing treatment to a granulated silica powder, and by subsequently cleaning and drying it so that the synthetic amorphous silica powder has an average particle diameter D50 of 10 to 2,000 ?m; wherein the synthetic amorphous silica powder has: a quotient of greater than 1.35 and not more than 1.75 obtained by dividing a BET specific surface area of the powder by a theoretical specific surface area calculated from the average particle diameter D50; a real density of 2.10 to 2.20 g/cm3; an intra-particulate porosity of 0 to 0.05; a circularity of 0.50 to 0.75; and an unmolten ratio of greater than 0.25 and not more than 0.60.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal oxide composite, the method comprising mixing a metal oxide, at least two monomers and a dispersant to produce a slurry; gel casting the slurry to produce a green metal oxide composite; and sintering the green metal oxide composite to produce the metal oxide composite. A metal oxide composite formed according to the method. Use of the metal oxide composite, for catalyzing hydrolysis of metal borohydride to produce hydrogen.

Abstract: A method manufactures an optical element having a surface that includes cells filled with an aerogel that does not crack during its manufacture or during a subsequent step of impregnating the aerogel with a liquid. The disclosure also relates to the optical elements that can be obtained using the method.

Abstract: The formation of cracks is suppressed in a drying process for a water-containing wet gel without modifying the gel and without using a reagent. A water-containing wet gel is dried by removing water and then removing the remaining solvent. For example, a wet-gel container storing water-containing wet gel, containing a wet gel and a solvent, is heated. The solvent is vaporized into an upper space of the wet-gel container. The solvent-containing gas diffuses into a dehydrating agent container, and water is removed by a dehydrating agent. This state is maintained for one to two days to remove almost all amount of water from the solvent. Thereafter, the dehydrating agent container is detached and the wet gel, from which water has been removed, is heated to almost completely remove the solvent, and further heated at a higher temperature to completely remove the solvent to obtain a crack-free dry gel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing porous or finely divided solid inorganic materials, the surface of which has been modified with at least one organic substance, under supercritical conditions, wherein the supercritical conditions are lowered by addition of an inert organic substance.

Abstract: A process for preparation of silica xerogel catalyst support particles having high surface areas involves ageing a silica hydrogel at a pH from 3 to 5 and at a temperature of 45° C. or more. The ageing at low pH leads to a silica gel which may be converted to a xerogel having a pore volume of 1.5 cm3/g or more and a surface area of 600 m2/g or more by removal of liquid from the pore structure by solvent exchange with a liquid solvent having a surface tension of 35 mN/m or less. The resulting particles are useful for carrying catalyst metal compounds, such as a chromium compounds, in the pore structure to act as catalyst precursors. These catalyst precursors may be activated into porous catalyst particles suitable for use for olefin polymerization to provide high activity and for forming high molecular weight polymers (low MI polymers) with good crack resistance.

Abstract: Methods and materials are described for preparing organic-inorganic hybrid gel compositions where a sulfur-containing cross-linking agent covalently links the organic and inorganic components. The gel compositions are further dried to provide porous gel compositions and aerogels. The mechanical and thermal properties of the dried gel compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A flowering stimulant composition with Nitrobenzene for Agricultural and Horticultural flowering crops including Nitrobenzene as an Active ingredient, with Natural/Synthetic/Ionic (or) Non Ionic chemical surfactant and base with petro (or) Non petro solvent base. A typical example of 100 kg of the composition has 5 to 10 kgs. of Linear alkyl Benzene (Acid slurry), 1 to 2 kgs. of Sodium Hydroxide, 2 to 4 kgs. of Urea, 20 kg of Nitro Benzene, and Quantum sufficientum Filler & stabilizer. In the case of 100 kgs. of granular formulation, the composition has 75 kg or 80 kg of Roasted or unroasted Bentonite clay or silica quartz sand granules, 10 kg or 15 kg Nitrobenzene and Quantum sufficientum Coating agent and De-activating Chemicals.

Abstract: A process for preparation of silica xerogel catalyst support particles having high surface areas involves ageing a silica hydrogel at a pH from 3 to 5 and at a temperature of 45° C. or more. The ageing at low pH leads to a silica gel which may be converted to a xerogel having a pore volume of 1.5 cm3/g or more and a surface area of 600 m2/g or more by removal of liquid from the pore structure by solvent exchange with a liquid solvent having a surface tension of 35 mN/m or less. The resulting particles are useful for carrying catalyst metal compounds, such as a chromium compounds, in the pore structure to act as catalyst precursors. These catalyst precursors may be activated into porous catalyst particles suitable for use for olefin polymerization to provide high activity and for forming high molecular weight polymers (low MI polymers) with good crack resistance.

Abstract: A porous silica material disclosed in the present application is a porous silica material in which a plurality of silica particles are connected to one another three-dimensionally, wherein: a density of the porous silica material is less than 220 kg/m3; a particle diameter of the silica particles is 3.5 nm or more; and the water content of the porous silica material is 8 wt % or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a spherical mesoporous silica structure containing silver nanoparticles dispersed therein by adding a silver nitrate solution to an aqueous surfactant solution and performing a sol-gel process and to spherical mesoporous silica prepared thereby. The spherical mesoporous silica is cost-effective compared to a conventional method that uses silver nanoparticles as a raw material, because the silver nitrate solution that is inexpensive compared to silver nanoparticles is used. Also, the spherical mesoporous silica can be with high productivity in large amounts, and thus is easily commercialized. Moreover, because silver nanoparticles are incorporated into the pores of the mesoporous silica, the silver nanoparticles are used stably and do not change color and odor. In addition, the spherical mesoporous silica exhibits various additional effects, including far-infrared ray emission and deodorization, attributable to silica.

Abstract: A method of preparing silica aero-gel powders having a short preparation time and stable preparation processes. In the method, the silica aerogel powders are generated by using a water glass solution, an inorganic acid, an organosilane compound and an organic solvent. The method includes dispersion-solution generating, gelating and solvent exchanging and drying. In the dispersion-solution generating, a dispersion solution is generated by dispersing the water glass solution and the organosilane compound in the organic solvent. In the gelating and solvent exchanging, silica hydrogel is generated by adding the inorganic acid to the dispersion solution and simultaneously performing gelating and solvent-exchanging. In the drying, the silica aerogel powders are generated by drying the silica hydro-gel.

Abstract: A silica containing composition is disclosed. The silica composition comprising a compound having the following formula (SiO2)x(OH)yMzOaF: wherein M optionally exists and said M is at least one of the following metal or metalloid cations: boron, magnesium, aluminum, calcium, titanium, vanadium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, zirconium, molybdenum, palladium, silver, cadmium, tin, platinum, gold, and bismuth; wherein F optionally exists and said F is at least one of the following: a functionalized organosilane, a sulfur-containing organosilane, an amine-containing organosilane, and an alkyl-containing organosilane at a surface area coverage of 0.01-100%; and wherein the molar ratio of y/x is equal to 0.01-0.5, the molar ratio of x/z is equal to 0.1-300, and the molar ratio of a/z is dependent on the nature of the metal oxide formed.

Abstract: A silica-containing composition is disclosed. The composition comprises a compound having the following formula: (SiO2)x(OH)yMzOaF.B: wherein M is at least one of the following: boron, magnesium, aluminum, calcium, titanium, vanadium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, zirconium, molybdenum, palladium, silver, cadmium, tin, platinum, gold, and bismuth; wherein F optionally exists and comprises at least one of the following: a functionalized organosilane, a sulfur-containing organosilane, an amine-containing organosilane, and an alkyl-containing organosilane at a surface area coverage of about 0.01 to about 100%. The molar ratio of y/x is equal to about 0.01 to about 0.5, the molar ratio of x/z is equal to about 0.5 to about 300, and the molar ratio of a/z is dependent on the nature of the metal oxide. B comprises a hygroscopic solid and preferably comprises at least one alkaline earth oxide, lanthanide oxide, or combinations thereof.

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.