The object of the present invention is to provide silica particles which can provide a silica particle dispersion exhibiting excellent uniformity. The present invention is silica particles having an average primary particle diameter d.sub.BET calculated from a specific surface area by a BET method of 1 nm or more and 100 nm or less and a ratio (d.sub.DLS/d.sub.BET) of an average secondary particle diameter d.sub.DLS measured by a dynamic light scattering method to the d.sub.BET of 1.2 or less. The silica particles of the present invention preferably have a coefficient of variation in a particle diameter measured using a transmission electron microscope at a magnification of 200,000 of 20% or less.

The present invention relates to mesoporous silica particles functionalized with at least one group having an acidic functionality and/or at least one group having a hydrophobic functionality anchored to the silica by means of a silicon-oxygen bond. The acidic functionality is preferably an alkyl group bearing a group selected from SO.sub.3H, COOH, PO(OH).sub.2.

The hydrophobic functionality is preferably a saturated, linear alkyl group.

The invention also relates to the use of the mesoporous silica particles for the removal of proteins from and/or the reduction of the concentration of several metals in a beverage having a pH lower than 4, preferably wine, beer, cider, and a combination thereof.

The present invention relates to mesoporous silica particles functionalized with at least one group having an acidic functionality and/or at least one group having a hydrophobic functionality anchored to the silica by means of a silicon-oxygen bond. The acidic functionality is preferably an alkyl group bearing a group selected from SO.sub.3H, COOH, PO(OH).sub.2.

The hydrophobic functionality is preferably a saturated, linear alkyl group.

The invention also relates to the use of the mesoporous silica particles for the removal of proteins from and/or the reduction of the concentration of several metals in a beverage having a pH lower than 4, preferably wine, beer, cider, and a combination thereof.

Spherical amorphous, non-porous silicas are useful for oral compositions. A method of making the spherical amorphous, non-porous silicas is also provided.

Spherical amorphous, non-porous silicas are useful for oral compositions. A method of making the spherical amorphous, non-porous silicas is also provided.

Silicon oxide-based negative electrode active materials and negative electrodes for a secondary battery are disclosed. In an embodiment, a negative electrode active material for a secondary battery includes a silicon oxide particle including a metal silicate; and a hydrocarbon coating layer on the silicon oxide particle, wherein a peak Pa in a Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectral analysis of the negative electrode active material is detected in a range from 2880 cm.sup.?1 to 2950 cm.sup.?1 and a peak Pb in a FT-IR spectral analysis of the negative electrode active material is detected in a range from 2800 cm.sup.?1 to 2865 cm.sup.?1.

Silicon oxide-based negative electrode active materials and negative electrodes for a secondary battery are disclosed. In an embodiment, a negative electrode active material for a secondary battery includes a silicon oxide particle including a metal silicate; and a hydrocarbon coating layer on the silicon oxide particle, wherein a peak Pa in a Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectral analysis of the negative electrode active material is detected in a range from 2880 cm.sup.?1 to 2950 cm.sup.?1 and a peak Pb in a FT-IR spectral analysis of the negative electrode active material is detected in a range from 2800 cm.sup.?1 to 2865 cm.sup.?1.

This invention describes the self-assembly of meso(nano)porous silica particles from inorganic an inexpensive silica precursor, sodium silicate. The particles have a well defined shape, high surface area, and high uniformity of the pore size, the properties that are typically found for high quality mesoporous material synthesized from organic silica precursors. The disclosure illustrates a synthesis of hard spheres, discoids, and a mixture comprising discoids, gyroids and fibers, termed as origami.

The invention relates to a process for producing a silicate from a plant ash comprising crystalline silica, wherein at least a portion of said crystalline silica is cristobalite. The process comprises reacting said plant ash with a base in the presence of an additive which is a salt comprising a sulfur oxyanion. The invention also relates to a silicate obtainable from said process and to a process for preparing a precipitated silica from said silicate. The invention also concerns a reaction mixture which can be used for said processes.

The invention relates to a process for producing a silicate from a plant ash comprising crystalline silica, wherein at least a portion of said crystalline silica is cristobalite. The process comprises reacting said plant ash with a base in the presence of an additive which is a salt comprising a sulfur oxyanion. The invention also relates to a silicate obtainable from said process and to a process for preparing a precipitated silica from said silicate. The invention also concerns a reaction mixture which can be used for said processes.