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

Abstract: 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 the use of a composition for injection grouting obtainable by mixing an alkali metal silicate or an organic silicate, colloidal silica particles, and at least one gelling agent, wherein the weight ratio of colloidal silica to silicate is from about 2:1 to about 100:1. The invention also relates to a method of sealing a leaking part or cavity, and method of cutting off a liquid flow in a leaking part or cavity. The invention further relates to a composition for injection grouting and a method for preparing such composition.

Abstract: A method of preparing a solution for forming a doped gel monolith includes providing a first substance including a metal alkoxide. The method further includes providing a second substance including a catalyst. The method further includes providing a chemical including a dopant. The method further includes forming a solution including the dopant, said forming including mixing the first substance and the second substance together. The method further includes cooling the solution to a mixture temperature which is at or below zero degrees Celsius, wherein the solution has a significantly longer gelation time at the mixture temperature than at room temperature.

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 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 method for sealing rock or soil comprising inserting a sealing composition obtained by mixing a silica sol and at least one gelling agent, wherein the silica sol has an S-value higher than about 72%, a method for preparing the sealing composition and the composition obtained from the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for sealing rock or soil comprising inserting a sealing composition obtained by mixing a silica sol and at least one gelling agent, wherein the silica sol has an S-value higher than about 72%, a method for preparing the sealing composition and the composition obtained from the method.

Abstract: Aerogels having a high density of hydroxyl groups and a more uniform pore size with fewer bottlenecks are described. The aerogel is exposed to a mixture of a supercritical fluid and water, whereupon the aerogel forms a high density of hydroxyl groups. The process also relaxes the aerogel into a more open uniform internal structure, in a process referred to as hydroetching. The hydroetching process removes bottlenecks from the aerogels, and forms the hydrogels into more standard pore sizes while preserving their high surface area.

Abstract: A process for producing a hardenable composition with high storage stability containing scaly silica particles which consist essentially of foliar secondary silica particles and have a laminated structure, said process comprising: (1) a step of subjecting a silica sol, a silica hydrogel or hydrous silicic acid to hydrothermal treatment in the presence of an alkali metal salt to form tertiary agglomerated particles of the scaly silica in the form of porous three-dimensional disorderly agglomerates of foliar secondary silica particles, each secondary particle being formed by a parallel face-to-face alignment of a plurality of flaky primary particles which are overlaid one on another, and (2) a step of disintegrating and dispersing the tertiary agglomerated particles of silica in an organic polymer in the form of an aqueous emulsion by a wet method.

Abstract: Hydrophobic, pyrogenically produced silica having a tamped density of 55 to 200 g/l is produced by hydrophobizing pyrogenically produced silica and then compacting it. The silica may be used for the production of dispersions.

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

Abstract: A process is described for preparing structured organic-inorganic hybrid materials, using an amphiphilic block copolymer as template.

Abstract: A method of preparing a solution for forming a doped gel monolith includes providing a first substance including a metal alkoxide. The method further includes providing a second substance including a catalyst. The method further includes providing a chemical including a dopant. The method further includes forming a solution including the dopant, said forming including mixing the first substance and the second substance together. The method further includes cooling the solution to a mixture temperature which is at or below zero degrees Celsius, wherein the solution has a significantly longer gelation time at the mixture temperature than at room temperature.

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: A hydrogen storage composition based on a metal hydride dispersed in an aerogel prepared by a sol-gel process. The starting material for the aerogel is an organometallic compound, including the alkoxysilanes, organometals of the form M(OR)x and MOxRy, where R is an alkyl group of the form CnH2n+1, M is an oxide-forming metal, n, x, and y are integers, and y is two less than the valence of M. A sol is prepared by combining the starting material, alcohol, water, and an acid. The sol is conditioned to the proper viscosity and a hydride in the form of a fine powder is added. The mixture is polymerized and dried under supercritical conditions. The final product is a composition having a hydride uniformly dispersed throughout an inert, stable and highly porous matrix. It is capable of absorbing up to 30 moles of hydrogen per kilogram at room temperature and pressure, rapidly and reversibly. Hydrogen absorbed by the composition can be readily be recovered by heat or evacuation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a frictionizing composition for imparting long-term anti-slip properties to the surface of a paper product comprising an aqueous sol of colloidal silica, glycerin, and at least one agent selected from the group consisting of N-methyl pyrrolidone, N,N-dimethyl acetoacetamide, urea, sorbitol, fructose and dextrose. The composition remains fluid, even after prolonged exposure to drying conditions, and thus is readily dispersible in water for easy cleanup of residue from apparatus and the work environment.

Abstract: An aerogel material with surfaces containing fluorine atoms which exhibits exceptional hydrophobicity, or the ability to repel liquid water. Hydrophobic aerogels are efficient absorbers of solvents from water. Solvents miscible with water are separated from it because the solvents are more volatile than water and they enter the porous aerogel as a vapor across the liquid water/solid interface. Solvents that are immisicble with water are separated from it by selectively wetting the aerogel. The hydrophobic property is achieved by formulating the aerogel using fluorine containing molecules either directly by addition in the sol-gel process, or by treating a standard dried aerogel using the vapor of fluorine containing molecules.

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.

Abstract: A process for producing a spherical silica gel, which comprises supplying a liquid mixture of an alkali silicate solution and an acid solution to a spraying apparatus, spraying the liquid mixture to obtain droplets, bringing the droplets into contact with a liquid for recovering a silica gel, and recovering the formed spherical silica gel together with the liquid for recovering a silica gel, as a slurry.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gel formulation comprising the components: a. an agrochemical (such as a herbicide, insecticide, fungicide, adjuvant, synergist or penetrant); b. an inorganic particulate filler (such a flame hydrolysed silica) having a surface area in the range 10 to 400 m2/g, the surface of said filler having hydrophilic characteristics; c. an activator having a polar group capable of interacting with component b to produce a gel; and optionally, d. a diluent.

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

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 is a method of dehydroxylating a silica surface that is hydroxylated having the steps of exposing the silica surface separately to a silicon organic compound and a dehydroxylating gas. Exposure to the silicon organic compound can be in liquid, gas or solution phase, and exposure to a dehydroxylating gas is typically at elevated temperatures. In one embodiment, the improvement of the dehydroxylation procedure is the repetition of the soaking and dehydroxylating gas exposure. In another embodiment, the improvement is the use of an inert gas that is substantially free of hydrogen. In yet another embodiment, the present invention is the combination of the two-step dehydroxylation method with a surfactant templating method of making a mesoporous film.

Abstract: A visual indicating paste composition for detecting of aqueous solutions in hydrocarbons by changes in color. The paste is utilized by placing on a probe and inserting the probe in a storage device for fuel. Said paste comprising: a) a liquid carrier selected from high molecular weight polyols; b) a caustic powder selected from alkaline earth oxides; c) a gelling agent; d) a surfactant consisting of ethoxylated nonylphenol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide; e) a filler material. f) a water scavenger consisting of aluminum isopropoxide; g) an indicator dye; and h) a neutral dye; wherein the paste of the present invention will change color upon contact with an aqueous solution in the pH range of about between 7 and 11.

Abstract: Process for preparation of hydrophilic or partially hydrophilic inorganic aerogels. The invention relates to a process for the preparation of hydrophilic or partially hydrophilic inorganic aerogels, which comprises pyrolyzing a hydrophobic inorganic aerogel in the presence of oxygen at temperatures in the range from 100 to 1000° C.

Abstract: Hydrophobic, pyrogenically produced silica having a tamped density of 55 to 200 g/l is produced by hydrophobizing pyrogenically produced silica and then compacting it. The silica may be used for the production of dispersions.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for producing gel composition which may be utilized to produce low density gel compositions without the need for supercritical drying, thermal treatment or surface treatment. The processes comprise drying a wet gel comprising gel solids and a drying agent to remove the drying agent while minimizing shrinkage of the gel during drying.

Abstract: A method to substantially eliminate irritativeness caused by surface active agents contained in an aqueous composition is provided. The method employs, in the production of said composition, in combination one or more surface active agents having an anionic active group with one or more nonionic surface active agents, with a mutual ratio of said one or more surface active agents having an anionic active group to said one or more nonionic surface active agents being 1:1 to 1:6 in concentration by weight. Aqueous compositions with reduced irritativeness as well as a method of solubilization of an insoluble or scarcely soluble pharmaceutical ingredient in producing an external-use aqueous pharmaceutical preparation are also provided.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a micro-mesoporous gel consisting of a silica matrix in which one or more metal oxides are possibly dispersed comprising: (a) subjecting to hydrolysis and gelification a tetra-alkylorthosilicate with an alkyl-trimethylammonium hydroxide having the formula R(CH3)3N—OH, wherein R is selected from n-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl and n-heptyl, possibly in the presence of one or more metal compounds, the molar ratios in this mixture being: R—OH/SiO2=0-10; R(CH3)3N—OH/SiO2=0.05-0.4; H2O/SiO2=5-40; metal oxides/SiO2=0-0.02; whereas the ratio H2O/R(CH3)3N—OH varies according to the number of carbon atoms in the alkylic chain R as follows: R=n-butyl, H2O/R(CH3-)3N—OH<35; R=n-pentyl, H2O/R(CH3)3N—OH<70; R=n-hexyl, H2O/R(CH3)3N—OH<102; R=n-heptyl, H2O/R(CH3)3N—OH<136; (b) subjecting the gel or solid obtained in step (a) to drying and calcination.

Abstract: Processes for producing gel compositions comprising: esterifying a portion of the surface of a gel composition sufficient to produce a gel composition having a rod density of less than or equal to 0.15 g/cc, and/or a tap density of less than or equal to 0.2 g/cc through contact with at least one esterification agent and at least one catalyst. The processes may be utilized to produce low density gel compositions without the need for a supercritical drying step or thermal treatment.

Abstract: A wet silica gel can be prepared by a process comprising the steps of contacting a stable, aqueous, fluid, silica system having a pH greater than 7.5 with an ion exchange resin which removes metal ions and replaces them with H+ ions and thereby reduces the pH to less than 5.0, adding an organic liquid to the aqueous silica system, providing, however, that the organic liquid added stays in one phase with the aqueous, silica, system, and does not cause the silica to precipitate, and adding a base to the silica system so that the pH of the silica system is in the range of from about 5.0 to about 7.5, and allowing the wet silica gel to form. The wet silica gel formed by this process is characterized by its high organic solvent content and the low concentration of basic metal ions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aggregated silica gel which has been produced from silica gel particles having a particle size of 1 to 20.mu., a surface of 200 to 1000 m.sup.2 /g and a specific pore volume of 0.4 to 2.5 ml/g and a binding agent selected from synthetic or natural phyllosilicate, pyrogenic silicon dioxide and organic polymers soluble in water or dispersible in water. Aggregation takes place by spray-drying a suspension having 1 to 25% solids. The product is suitable as a matting agent for coatings, as an antiblocking agent for polymer films and as a beer clarifying agent.

Abstract: Silica deposits formed during a continuous process for preparing polysilicate microgel are removed and purged form the process by elastically deforming the vessel walls, reducing plugging.

Abstract: Sticky high water content gelled fire extinguisher compositions hold the antage of providing a high water content, slightly viscous (sticky) gel with flow properties similar to water. The ability of this material to stick to burning surfaces is what sets it apart from water extinguishers. Not only are fires extinguished, but also surfaces are cooled by the sticky gel as the water evaporates. The basic gelled fire extinguisher composition is comprised of about 88 weight percent water and about 12 weight percent of a 7 nanometer particle size silicon dioxide gellant. The silicon dioxide gellant is available as EH5 tradename by Cabot for this silicon dioxide gellant. Other ingredients such as dispersants, wetting agents and flame retardants can be used as additives in combination with the gelling agent. The actual gel system is inexpensive, made from readily available ingredients and easily prepared.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage composition is provided which defines a physical sol-gel matrix having an average pore size of less than 3.5 angstroms which effectively excludes gaseous metal hydride poisons while permitting hydrogen gas to enter. The composition is useful for separating hydrogen gas from diverse gas streams which may have contaminants that would otherwise render the hydrogen absorbing material inactive.

Abstract: The invention relates to a corrosion-inhibiting material comprising a composite containing a metal oxide gel, where necessary modified by an organic polymer, and one or more corrosion inhibitors, and to a method for the production thereof. The corrosion-inhibiting composite material is used for producing corrosion-protective packaging material, for coating metallic and metallized articles as well as for corrosion protection in confined environments.

Abstract: A silica-titania mixed oxide catalyst and its method of manufacture is disclosed. Such catalysts can be used especially to catalyze the epoxidation of olefinically unsaturated compounds with organic hydroperoxides.

Abstract: A primary object of the present invention is to easily and securely fix a photocatalyst to a substrate. According to the invention, there is provided a process for preparing a photocatalyst material, the process comprising a first step of forming an undercoating containing silica gel on a substrate, a second step of bringing titanium tetrachloride into contact with the undercoating and a third step of heat-treating the coated substrate.