Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making amorphous spherical particles of zirconium titanate and crystalline spherical particles of zirconium titanate comprising the steps of mixing an aqueous solution of zirconium salt and an aqueous solution of titanium salt into a mixed solution having equal moles of zirconium and titanium and having a total salt concentration in the range from 0.01 M to about 0.5 M. A stearic dispersant and an organic solvent is added to the mixed salt solution, subjecting the zirconium salt and the titanium salt in the mixed solution to a coprecipitation reaction forming a solution containing amorphous spherical particles of zirconium titanate wherein the volume ratio of the organic solvent to aqueous part is in the range from 1 to 5. The solution of amorphous spherical particles is incubated in an oven at a temperature ?100° C. for a period of time ?24 hours converting the amorphous particles to fine or ultrafine crystalline spherical particles of zirconium titanate.

Abstract: A process for producing an inorganic porous material, comprising the steps of preparing an aqueous medium solution containing water-glass as a silica source, a water-soluble polymer and an acid, causing phase separation and gelation in the solution at the same time to form a wet gel, and washing and drying the gel. According to the present invention, use of water-glass which is easily acquired as a silica source makes it possible to produce porous silica having mutually continuous through holes with macro-pores. According to the present invention, the diameter of each macro-pore can be controlled to a desired value.

Abstract: A method of forming a gel monolith includes preparing a first solution comprising metal alkoxide and preparing a second solution comprising a catalyst. A third solution is prepared by mixing the first solution and the second solution together. At least one of the first, second, and third solutions is cooled to achieve a mixture temperature for the third solution which is substantially below room temperature, wherein the third solution has a significantly longer gelation time at the mixture temperature as compared to a room temperature gelation time for the third solution. The method further includes allowing the third solution to gel, thereby forming the gel monolith.

Abstract: The invention relates to hydrophobicized precipitated silicas that possess an extremely high whiteness and extremely low moisture absorption. The hydrophobic precipitated silicas are prepared, inter alia, by coating with silicone oil and oxidative heat treatment.

Abstract: A process for producing inorganic spheres, which comprises injecting an aqueous liquid containing an inorganic compound through an inlet hole into an organic liquid which flows at a flow rate of from 0.001 to 2 m/s in a laminar flow state in a flow path to form a W/O type emulsion, and solidifying the aqueous liquid containing an inorganic compound in the W/O type emulsion.

Abstract: Accordingly, the invention provides: (1) mesoporous silica characterized by having an average pore diameter in the mesopore region of from 1.5 to 10 nm, a nitrogen adsorption specific surface area determined by the BET method of from 500 to 1400 m2/g, and a monolayer adsorption of water at 25° C. of 1.7 H2O molecules/nm2 specific surface area or more; (2) a process for synthesizing the mesoporous silica characterized by mixing and reacting active silica with a neutral template and removing the neutral template from the thus formed complex; (3) ink absorbents characterized by containing mesoporous silica; (4) ink absorbent slurries composed of the above-described ink absorbent and a solvent; and (5) recording sheets characterized by containing the above-described ink absorbent.

Abstract: A process for making transparent porous glass monoliths from gels. The glass is produced much faster and in much larger sizes than present technology for making porous glass. The process reduces the cost of making large porous glass monoliths because: 1) the process does not require solvent exchange nor additives to the gel to increase the drying rates, 2) only moderate temperatures and pressures are used so relatively inexpensive equipment is needed, an 3) net-shape glass monoliths are possible using this process. The process depends on the use of temperature to control the partial pressure of the gel solvent in a closed vessel, resulting in controlled shrinking during drying.

Abstract: Method of making abrasive compositions comprised of water-insoluble abrasive polishing agents suspended in an aqueous medium in combination, which avoids the need and associated cost of dry milling the abrasive particle content, and products thereof. In particular, the abrasive compositions made by the method contain appropriately sized abrasive particles provided without the need for drying or dry milling, while also providing an abrasive composition which is Theologically stable, settling-resistant, and re-agglomeration resistant, even during and after transport and/or storage before end-use, such as incorporation into dentifrice formulations or other oral cleaning compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing an inorganic porous body having precisely controlled macropores concurrently with mesopores of a narrow pore size distribution. The method comprises dissolving an amphiphilic substance as template component in an aqueous solution containing a sol-gel reaction catalyst, adding an inorganic low molecular weight compound having hydrolysable functional groups to the solution, forming a gel including a solvent-rich phase for the macropores, drying the gel to remove the solvent, and removing the template component by such means as thermal decomposition.

Abstract: A method for forming a region of low dielectric constant nanoporous material is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present method includes the step of preparing a microemulsion. The method of the present embodiment then recites applying the microemulsion to a surface above which it is desired to form a region of low dielectric constant nanoporous material. Next, the present method recites subjecting the microemulsion, which has been applied to the surface, to a thermal process such that the region of low dielectric constant nanoporous material is formed above the surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrophobic precipitated silica having the following properties: carbon content 1.0-8.0% methanol wettability ?20-55% reflectance >94% BET/CTAB ratio ??1 DBP absorption <250 g/100 g BET surface area ?50-110 m2/g CTAB surface area 100-150 m2/g Sears number <13. The present invention also provides methods for making and using the hydrophobic precipitated silica and articles and compositions which include the same.

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.

Abstract: A silica gel abrasive having good cleaning and low abrasion is prepared by combining at least two silica gels before adjusting the pH of the abrasive to a pH in the range of 3-6. One of the gels is washed at relatively lower temperature compared to the wash temperature of a second gel. The two gels are then milled and dried to a median particle size in the range of 5 to 12 microns. The volatiles content of the gel combination is in the range of 20-40% by weight. The resulting mixtures have low abrasion as measured by Einlehner, e.g., in the range of 0.5 to 3 when measured using a brass screen. A dentifrice composition comprising 10 to 25% of the abrasive has a PCR of at least 80 and can obtain PCR's greater than 100.

Abstract: Pyrogenically prepared silicon dioxide with the following physicochemical properties: 1. Average particle size (D50 value) D50?150 nm (dynamic light scattering, 30 wt %) 2. Viscosity (5 rpm, 30 wt %) ??100 m·Pas 3. Thixotropy of Ti (?(5 rpm))/(?(50 rpm))?2 4. BET surface area 30-60 m2/g 5. Compacted bulk=100-160 g/L 6. Original pH?4.5 that can be used for the preparation of dispersions and glass bodies.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a xerogel monolith having a pore diameter distribution includes preparing a first solution comprising metal alkoxide and preparing a second solution comprising a catalyst. A third solution is prepared by mixing the first solution and the second solution together. At least one of the first, second, and third solutions is cooled to achieve a mixture temperature for the third solution which is substantially below room temperature, wherein the third solution has a significantly longer gelation time at the mixture temperature as compared to a room temperature gelation time for the third solution. The method further includes allowing the third solution to gel, thereby forming a wet gel monolith. The method further includes forming the xerogel monolith by drying the wet gel monolith.

Abstract: A sol-gel process allowing preparation, on a substrate, of glassy films of silicon oxide or mixed oxides based on silicon oxide, of thickness above 1 micrometer, generally between 2 and 20 micrometers and characterized by absence of defects, that turn out to be particularly suitable as waveguides in flat optical devices.

Abstract: The granule consists of individual granules approximately spherical in shape, having a pore volume of 0.5 cm3, a mean diameter of pores of 50 nm or less, a specific surface area of 100 m2/g or less, and a bulk density of 0.7 g/cm3 or higher. It is produced by dispersing a fumed silica obtained by hydrolysis of a silicon compound into pure water to obtain a slurry, and drying the slurry. The granule is used for producing high purity synthetic quartz glass powder. The method further comprises: a first heat treatment under an oxygen-containing atmosphere, a second heat treatment in a temperature range of from 600 to 1100° C., and a third heat treatment in a temperature range of from 1100 to 1300° C. under an atmosphere containing hydrogen chloride; and a step of densification comprising calcining the product at a temperature not higher than 1500° C. under vacuum or in an atmosphere of gaseous hydrogen or gaseous helium.

Abstract: A nanoporous reactive adsorbent incorporates a relatively small number of relatively larger reactant, e.g., metal, enzyme, etc., particles (10) forming a discontinuous or continuous phase interspersed among and surrounded by a continuous phase of smaller adsorbent particles (12) and connected interstitial pores (14) therebetween. The reactive adsorbent can effectively remove inorganic or organic impurities in a liquid by causing the liquid to flow through the adsorbent. For example, silver ions may be adsorbed by the adsorbent particles (12) and reduced to metallic silver by reducing metal, such as ions, as the reactant particles (10). The column can be regenerated by backwashing with the liquid effluent containing, for example, acetic acid.

Abstract: A method of producing a silica gel by hydrolyzing a silicon alkoxide and subjecting the resulting hydrogel to a hydrothermal treatment substantially without aging it is described. Also described in a silica gel produced by such a method and a silica gel which has the following characteristics: (a) the pore volume is from 0.6 to 1.6 ml/g, (b) the specific surface area is from 300 to 900 m2/g, (c) the mode diameter (Dmax) of pores is less than 20 nm, (d) the volume of pores having diameters within ±20% of Dmax is at least 50% of the total pore volume, (e) it is amorphous, and (f) the content of metal impurities is at most 500 ppm.

Abstract: Methods for sol-gel processing that generally involve mixing together an inorganic metal salt, water, and a water miscible alcohol or other organic solvent, at room temperature with a macromolecular dispersant material, such as hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) added. The resulting homogenous solution is incubated at a desired temperature and time to result in a desired product. The methods enable production of high quality sols and gels at lower temperatures than standard methods. The methods enable production of nanosize sols from inorganic metal salts. The methods offer sol-gel processing from inorganic metal salts.

Abstract: A partially modified photosensitive monolithic oxide glass apparatus formed through photolithographic imaging. The apparatus may be either a volume apparatus or a layer apparatus. Both types of apparatus may be used to diffuse light in predetermined directions or shapes. The monolithic oxide glass apparatus is capable of withstanding temperatures well beyond glass transition temperatures of plastic light shaping devices and can be formed in convex or concave surfaces through conventionally molding grinding or polishing techniques and can be coated by hot-coating techniques.

Abstract: Aluminum-doped precipitated silicas having a BET surface area of more than 300 m2/g and aluminum distributed uniformly in the silica particles are prepared by sequentially heating a mixture of water and sodium silicate at a temperature of from 70 to 86° C. and adding sulfuric acid until half of the sodium silicate is neutralized, then aging the mixture for a time of from 30 to 120 minutes, adjusting the pH of the mixture with sulfuric acid to a range of from 3.0 to 7.0, thereby precipitating the aluminum-doped silica, filtering the aluminum-doped silica from the mixture to form a filtercake and washing the filtercake, followed by drying and/or grinding the washed filtercake. An aluminum salt solution is metered into the mixture at step a) and/or step c). The aluminum-doped precipitated silicas of the present invention may be used in coatings for paper and other media intended for ink jet printing.

Abstract: Subjects for the invention are to obtain a quartz powder having a high purity and high quality and a process for producing the same and to obtain a glass molding formed by melting and molding the powder and extremely reduced in bubble inclusion.

Abstract: A rapid gelation, two-step method for the production of an aerogel precursor is disclosed. The method involves the addition of a small amount of catalyst during mixing of alcogel components in order to allow some pre-polymerization to occur. Next, the addition of the remainder of the catalyst quickly forms or gels the solution into the alcogel. The gelation of the solution to form the alcogel typically takes place in 5 to 60 seconds, but can be done in under 1 second and in as long as several hours. The gel time can be controlled specifically by adjusting the chemical contents of the solution and the amount of time between the two additions of catalyst. The resulting alcogel can then be processed further to form an aerogel which can be put to use in many unique applications including fabrics, insulative blocks, and microchips.

Abstract: There are disclosed amphoteric nano-sized metal oxide particles functionalized with silyl esters of a phosphonate and composites thereof with an acrylate-based monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Also disclosed are the method making such functionalized particular by reacting a metal oxide with a silyl ester of a phosphonate in the presence of a non-aqueous solvent and in an inert atmosphere and the method of making the composites wherein the functionalized particles are admixed with an acrylate-based matrix monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Further disclosed is the method of dental repair wherein the composites are applied to a tooth and photopolymerized.

Abstract: It is described a process based on sol-gel chemistry suitable to the production of nanocomposite materials being photoluminescent at ambient temperature, comprising silicon grains of dimension of nanometers embedded in a silica matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to LC packing materials in general, and silica-based HPLC packing materials in particular. Methods of forming and using the packing materials are also disclosed. The HPLC packing materials of the present invention feature high surface area and high porosity with good mechanical strength, due in part to the inclusion of a surfactant in the preparation of the LC packing materials. These desirable attributes are due, in part, to the narrow range of pore diameters that are generated in the preparation of the packing material.

Abstract: It is described a process based on sol-gel chemistry suitable to the production of nanocomposite materials being photoluminescent at ambient temperature, comprising silicon grains of dimension of nanometers embedded in a silica matrix.

Abstract: This invention concerns a procedure for preparing amorphous silica from calcium silicate and CO2, with formation and separation of precipitate CaCO3.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to control the degree of connectivity of the colloidal particles making up a colloidal crystal and, consequently, the pore size, filling fraction, mechanical stability and optical properties of the colloidal lattice, without disrupting its long range order and without the deleterious effects of lattice contraction induced cracking observed in conventional necking methods based on thermal sintering. The colloidal particles are connected to adjacent colloidal particles in the lattice by a homogeneous layer of uniform and controllable thickness of a metal oxide. This metal oxide layer is grown in a layer-by-layer process and is chemically bonded to the colloidal particle surface and serves to enhance the mechanical stability of the colloidal crystal in addition to acting to control the pore size or void volume between the colloidal particles in the lattice.

Abstract: A method for preparing precursors for producing high density monolithic aerogels. The method enables fabrication of transparent porous glass monoliths, with the porosity or density controlled by adjusting the ratio of water to monomer. By this adjustment, syneresis is increased or minimized. The method involves either a single step precursor or a two step precursor where a base is added to the single step precursor after hydrolysis has occurred. Monolithic metal oxide aerogels with densities between 0.3 g/cc to 1.5 g/cc have been produced using this method.

Abstract: This invention relates to bioactive sol-gel derived silica fibers, methods for their preparation, an implantable device comprising said fibers and the use of said device for tissue guiding or bone repair.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dispersion liquid of silica particles for polishing with a low content of Na ions and also with a content of ions other than Na ions in a prespecified range. This dispersion liquid is a dispersion liquid of silica particles in which the silica particles having the average particle diameter in the range from 5 to 300 nm is dispersed, and a content of Na ions in the silica particle is less than 100 ppm, while a contents of ions other than Na ions is in the range from 300 ppm to 2 weight %.

Abstract: Methods of more rapidly producing aerogel products by means of a rapid solvent exchange of solvent inside wet gels with supercritical CO2 by injecting supercritical, rather than liquid, CO2 into an extractor that has been pre-heated and pre-pressurized to substantially supercritical conditions or above. Preferably, pressure waves are applied to the supercritical CO2 to enhance the solvent exchange. The rapid solvent exchange process is followed by depressurization, optionally with a gas exchange. Preferably, pressure waves are used to speed up the depressurization. The process greatly reduces the time for forming aerogel products.

Abstract: This invention relates to bioactive sol-gel derived silica fibers, methods for their preparation, an implantable device comprising the fibers and the use of the device for tissue guiding or bone repair.

Abstract: The inner shape of the body part in a hollow ceramic molded article constituting a precursor of a discharge vessel is precisely controlled so as to make a large improvement in the function of a discharge vessel formed by baking the hollow ceramic molded article.

Abstract: Ultra-high temperature, light-weight, black ceramic insulation having a density ranging from about 0.12 g/cc. to 0.6 g/cc. such as ceramic tile is obtained by pyrolyzing siloxane gels derived from the reaction of at least one organo dialkoxy silane and at least one tetralkoxy silane in an acid or base liquid medium. The reaction mixture of the tetra- and dialkoxy silanes also may contain an effective amount of a mono- or trialkoxy silane to obtain the siloxane gels. The siloxane gels are dried at ambient temperatures and pressures to form siloxane ceramic precursors without significant shrinkage. The siloxane ceramic precursors are subsequently pyrolyzed, in an inert atmosphere, to form the black ceramic insulation comprising atoms of silicon, carbon and oxygen. The ceramic insulation can be characterized as a porous, uniform ceramic tile resistant to oxidation at temperatures ranging as high as 1700° C.

Abstract: Silica having a large pore volume and specific surface area, controlled pore properties and also excellent hydrothermal resistance is provided. The silica has the following properties: (a) a pore volume of the silica is larger than 1.6 ml/g and is 3.0 ml/g or less; (b) a specific surface area of the silica is between 100 and 1000 m2/g; (c) a mode pore diameter (Dmax) of the silica is 5 nm or more; (d) a value of Q4/Q3 in a solid-state Si nuclear magnetic resonance (hereinafter called solid-state Si NMR) spectrum of the silica is 1.2 or more; and (e) the silica is amorphous; and (f) a total content of metal impurities in the silica is 100 ppm or less.

Abstract: A method for preparing shape-changed nanosize colloidal silica comprising the following steps: a). providing a nanosize spherical colloidal silica solution having an average diameter no more than 100 nm; b). adding a coagulant having a concentration no more than 5 wt % and an active silicic acid to the colloidal silica solution, and raising the reaction temperature; and c). keeping addition of said active silicic acid to said solution obtained from step b) continuously until the concentration of SiO2 reaches 6 to 50% by weight.

Abstract: The method of preparing the porous material incorporating ultrafine metal particles comprises the following steps: (1) preparing surface-protected ultrafine metal particles by reducing metal ions in the presence of molecules such as dodecanethiol molecules; (2) immersing a wet gel in a solution of the ultrafine metal particles, thus forming an ultrafine metal particle/wet gel composite in which the ultrafine metal particles are incorporated in the wet gel; and (3) drying the ultrafine metal particle/wet gel composite to form a porous body.

Abstract: It is described a process based on sol-gel chemistry suitable to the production of nanocomposite materials being photoluminescent at ambient temperature, comprising silicon grains of dimension of nanometers embedded in a silica matrix.

Abstract: Mesoporous materials containing a Group IIA metal are prepared by a sol-gel type techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a precipitated silica having a particularly high BET/CTAB ratio, to a process for preparing it, and to its use in clastomer blends.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a xerogel monolith having a pore diameter distribution includes preparing a first solution comprising metal alkoxide and preparing a second solution comprising a catalyst. A third solution is prepared by mixing the first solution and the second solution together. At least one of the first, second, and third solutions is cooled to achieve a mixture temperature for the third solution which is substantially below room temperature, wherein the third solution has a significantly longer gelation time at the mixture temperature as compared to a room temperature gelation time for the third solution. The method further includes allowing the third solution to gel, thereby forming a wet gel monolith. The method further includes forming the xerogel monolith by drying the wet gel monolith.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel silica gel nanofibers having an outer diameter lower than 100 nm, a length of up to 1 cm, a specific surface area of from 600 to 1000 m2/g and pore diameters of from 2 to 10 nm. Also disclosed are novel silica glass nanofibers having an outer diameter and a length similar to that of the above silica gel fibers. The silica gel nanofibers are prepared by reacting chrysotile in an aqueous solution containing a controlled-proton-releasing agent and cation-complexing agent, whereby the cations of the silicate are replaced by protons and dissolved, with production of solid fibrous and amorphous hydrated silica. The silica glass nanofibers are made by dehydrating the silica gel nanofibers at temperatures close to 1000° C. These nanofibers have numerous potential applications, especially due to their capacity to adsorb or absorb ions and metals, especially catalytically useful metals such as copper and silver.

Abstract: In a process for drying microporous, fluid-containing particles, the fluid-containing particles to be dried are fed as a moving bed countercurrently to a drying fluid, the interfacial tension of the fluid being reduced in comparison with the interfacial tension of the fluid at room temperature, at near-critical to supercritical pressure of the fluid, preferably to a value in the range from 0 to {fraction (1/10)}, in particular from 0 to {fraction (1/20)}, of the interfacial tension at room temperature. Furthermore, microporous, three-dimensionally networked particles are prepared by a process comprising preparation of microporous particles containing pore liquid, exchange of the pore liquid in the particles for a fluid and drying of the fluid-containing particles, the exchange and drying being carried out in the moving bed by the countercurrent method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for fabricating high-purity silica glass using a sol-gel processing that includes the steps of: (a) mixing deionized water with a monomer and a dimer to prepare an aqueous premix solution; (b) mixing the aqueous premix solution with a fused silica and a dispersion agent; (c) mixing the resulting mixture to form a dispersed sol; (d) aging the dispersed sol at the ambient temperature to stabilize silica particles, and removing air voids from the sol; and, (e) adding a polymerization initiator and a gelation agent to the aged sol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing aerogels and to an apparatus for carrying out the method. The aerogels are produced semi-continuously by per se known methods in that, following gel formation, the lyogel is transferred to a mobile container for at least two further procedural steps, the container comprising inlets and outlets and in that for these procedural steps, the container is moved to appropriate stations for the supply and discharge of materials, at which stations it is connected to feed and discharge means and in that the procedural steps are carried out there. An apparatus for carrying out the method comprises a container with a container top part and container bottom part, an encircling seal and a bag adapted to be placed into the container, the bag being connected along the opening and at least partially to thickening elements, container top and bottom parts being connected along their periphery in gastight fashion to corresponding parts of a retaining device.

Abstract: Fine particulate silica gel having the following characteristics (1) to (3): (1) average particle size: from 1 to 200 &mgr;m; (2) oil absorption in accordance with JIS K5101: from 100 to 300 ml/100 g; and (3) hygroscopicity represented by moisture adsorption under a relative humidity of 90% at 25° C. in accordance with JIS Z0701: not more than 20 wt %.

Abstract: A composite gel or aerogel is formed by commingling a particulate guest (such as a colloidal or dispersed (i.e., non-colloidal) solid or a powder) with a sol which is either about to gel or in which gelation has just started. After addition of the particulate, the mixture is then permitted to gel into a solid, gelled composite with open pores. This solid, gelled composite is then dried in a manner that prevents the collapse of open pores within the solid, gelled composite in which the gel acts as a “nanoglue” that holds the particles together.