A method of making a synthetic hectorite-type mineral is described, along with its resulting physical and rheological properties. The synthetic hectorite-type mineral is a 2:1 phyllosilicate essentially free of aluminum, and having a trioctahedral structure with Mg2+ and Li+ occupying octahedral sites. As a hydrogel, the synthetic hectorite-type mineral has a swell index of greater than 55 mL, and a yield point of greater than 290 Pa. The method of making uses a MgO/MgCO3 buffer system, with heating for about 2 hours at temperatures of no higher than 300° C. and pressures of no higher than 600 psi.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to synthetic functionalized additives, which may comprise a layered magnesium silicate. The present disclosure is also directed to drilling fluids that may comprise an aqueous base fluid and a synthetic functionalized additive. The present disclosure is further directed to methods for producing drilling fluids.

[Object]

To provide granulated sintered clay that is porous with micropores and mesopores and has high hardness that does not collapse even in water.

[Solution]

Provided is granulated sintered clay having a differential pore volume with a pore diameter of 10 nm or less of 0.06 cm.sup.3/g or more in a pore distribution curve measured by a nitrogen gas adsorption method, a hardness to collapse at a planar load of 180 g to 1200 g in a crushing test, and a silicon dioxide content of 35 mass % to 95 mass %.

[Object]

To provide granulated sintered clay that is porous with micropores and mesopores and has high hardness that does not collapse even in water.

[Solution]

Provided is granulated sintered clay having a differential pore volume with a pore diameter of 10 nm or less of 0.06 cm.sup.3/g or more in a pore distribution curve measured by a nitrogen gas adsorption method, a hardness to collapse at a planar load of 180 g to 1200 g in a crushing test, and a silicon dioxide content of 35 mass % to 95 mass %.

The present invention relates to sheet silicate lamellae of a 2:1 sheet silicate with a high aspect ratio, to a method for producing these sheet silicate lamellae and to an aqueous dispersion which comprises the sheet silicate lamellae. The present invention further relates to the use of the sheet silicate lamellae of the invention for producing a composite material, and also to a corresponding composite material comprising or obtainable using the sheet silicate lamellae, more particularly for use as a diffusion barrier or as a flame retardant.

The invention relates to a method for preparing synthetic mineral particles with formula (Al.sub.yM.sub.1-y).sub.2(Si.sub.xGe.sub.1-x).sub.2O.sub.5(OH).sub.4, wherein M designates at least one trivalent metal selected from the group made up of gallium and the rare earths, which comprises the following steps: preparing a gel which is a precursor of said synthetic mineral particles by a co-precipitation reaction of at least one salt of metal selected among aluminium and M with at least one silicon source selected from the group made up of potassium metasilicate, sodium metasilicate, potassium metagermanate and sodium metagermanate, the molar ratio of (Al.sub.yM.sub.1-y) to (Si.sub.xGe.sub.1-x) during the preparation of said precursor gel being equal to 1, at least one base being added during said co-precipitation reaction; and performing a solvothermal treatment of said precursor gel at a temperature of 250° C. to 600° C.

The invention relates to a method for preparing synthetic mineral particles with formula (Al.sub.yM.sub.1-y).sub.2(Si.sub.xGe.sub.1-x).sub.2O.sub.5(OH).sub.4, wherein M designates at least one trivalent metal selected from the group made up of gallium and the rare earths, which comprises the following steps: preparing a gel which is a precursor of said synthetic mineral particles by a co-precipitation reaction of at least one salt of metal selected among aluminium and M with at least one silicon source selected from the group made up of potassium metasilicate, sodium metasilicate, potassium metagermanate and sodium metagermanate, the molar ratio of (Al.sub.yM.sub.1-y) to (Si.sub.xGe.sub.1-x) during the preparation of said precursor gel being equal to 1, at least one base being added during said co-precipitation reaction; and performing a solvothermal treatment of said precursor gel at a temperature of 250° C. to 600° C.

A method for producing an electrically-conductive pellet includes reducing a size of a first material. The method also includes wetting the first material to produce a first slurry. The method also includes introducing the first slurry into a fluidizer to produce a first pellet. The method also includes reducing a size of a second material. The second material is an electrically-conductive material. The method also includes wetting the second material to produce a second slurry. The method also includes applying the second slurry to the first pellet.

A method for producing an electrically-conductive pellet includes reducing a size of a first material. The method also includes wetting the first material to produce a first slurry. The method also includes introducing the first slurry into a fluidizer to produce a first pellet. The method also includes reducing a size of a second material. The second material is an electrically-conductive material. The method also includes wetting the second material to produce a second slurry. The method also includes applying the second slurry to the first pellet.

A power storage device, containing two electrodes, and a plate-like crystal structure smectite-based clay film between the electrodes.