The present invention is in the field of nanoparticles, their preparation and their use as pinning centers in superconductors. In particular the present invention relates to nanoparticles comprising an oxide of Sr, Ba, Y, La, Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, or Ta, wherein the nanoparticles have a weight average diameter of 1 to 30 nm and wherein an organic compound of general formula (I), (II) or (III) or an organic compound containing at least two carboxylic acid groups on the surface of the nanoparticles (I) (II) (III) wherein a is 0 to 5, b and c are independent of each other 1 to 14, n is 1 to 5, f is 0 to 5, p and q are independent of each other 1 to 14, and e and f are independent of each other 0 to 12. ##STR00001##

There is provided an electrostatic ink composition comprising chargeable particles comprising white pigment particles having a basic species on their surface; and a charge director; wherein the white pigment particles are present in an amount of at least 75 wt % based on the total weight of the non-volatile solids in the electrostatic ink composition. A method of manufacturing an electrostatic ink composition and a printed medium are also described.

A particulate TiO.sub.2 includes a TiO.sub.2 content of at least 99 wt.-%, an anatase content of at least 98 wt.-%, a primary crystallite size X.sub.50 of at least 200 nm, a numerical fraction of TiO.sub.2 with a primary crystallite size of at most 100 nm of at most 10%, a specific surface area of at most 8 m.sup.2/g as determined by BET measurements, 1200 ppm to 2400 ppm of alkali with respect to the TiO.sub.2 content, an Al content of 1 ppm to 1000 ppm, expressed as Al and with respect to the TiO.sub.2 content, a weight ratio of Al.sub.2O.sub.3 to Nb.sub.2O.sub.5 of from 0.17 to 0.74, and 0.1 wt.-% to 0.3 wt.-% of P, expressed as phosphorus and with respect to the TiO.sub.2 content.

A treated, particulate inorganic pigment is provided. The treated, particulate inorganic pigment comprises a plurality of pigment particles, and a polyol ester deposited on the surfaces of the pigment particles. A method of forming a treated, particulate inorganic pigment and a polymer composition are also provided.

The disclosure provides self-dispersing pigment having an isoelectric point of at least about 8 comprising an inorganic particle, and in particular a titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2) pigment, treated sequentially by: hydrolyzing an aluminum compound or basic aluminate to deposit a hydrous alumina surface; and adding a dual-functional compound comprising an anchoring group that attaches the dual-functional compound to the pigment surface, and a basic amine group comprising a primary, secondary or tertiary amine. These self-dispersing pigments are useful in making dcor paper that may be used in paper laminates.

Compositions having solid core particles with functionalizing layers over at least a portion of the outer surfaces of the solid core particles are described. The functionalizing layers are formed from a reaction product of a 1,1-di-activated vinyl compound, or a multifunctional form thereof, or a combination thereof.

Provided are: surface-coated inorganic particles which can have improved dispersibility in organic solvents and enable the function and performance of the original inorganic particles to be sufficiently exhibited; and a method for producing the surface-coated inorganic particles. Also provided are an organic-solvent dispersion and a coating film which are excellent in terms of transparency and refraction property. The surfaces of inorganic particles, e.g., titanium oxide, are coated with a product of reaction between an aminated silicate compound, e.g., aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, and/or a product of the hydrolysis thereof and a compound having one ?,?-unsaturated carbonyl group in the molecule, e.g., an alkoxypolyalkylene glycol (meth)acrylate.

Provided is an inorganic powder which can impart feeling, which is equivalent to or greater than that of resin beads, and in particular, softness and smoothness to cosmetics. In the composite surface-treated inorganic powder, a base material powder whose main constituent includes an inorganic material or inorganic materials is surface-treated by a cationic surfactant and higher aliphatic alcohol.

Provided is an ink containing at least: an inorganic pigment having a surface hydrophobicity; resin particles; and water.

There is provided an electrostatic ink composition comprising chargeable particles comprising white pigment particles having a basic species on their surface; and a charge director; wherein the white pigment particles are present in an amount of at least 75 wt % based on the total weight of the non-volatile solids in the electrostatic ink composition. A method of manufacturing an electrostatic ink composition and a printed medium are also described.