The invention relates to a method of making hybrid organic-inorganic core-shell nano-particles, comprising the steps of a) providing colloidal organic particles comprising a synthetic polyampholyte as a template; b) adding at least one inorganic oxide precursor; and c) forming a shell layer from the precursor on the template to result in core-shell nano-particles. With this method it is possible to make colloidal organic template particles having an average particle size in the range of 10 to 300 nm; which size can be controlled by the comonomer composition of the polyampholyte, and/or by selecting dispersion conditions.

The invention also relates to organic-inorganic or hollow-inorganic core-shell nano-particles obtained with this method, to compositions comprising such nano-particles, to different uses of said nano-particles and compositions, and to products comprising or made from said nano-particles and compositions, including anti-reflective coatings and composite materials.

A colloidal dispersion of particles of silica having a particle size of from 3 nm to 100 nm, to which ions of one or more metals are adsorbed, selected from metals having atomic numbers 21-31, 39-46, 48-50, 57-82, and 89-93, and a method for preparing the dispersion. The dispersion may be used in various fields of use of metals.

A colloidal dispersion of particles of silica having a particle size of from 3 nm to 100 nm, to which ions of one or more metals are adsorbed, selected from metals having atomic numbers 21-31, 39-46, 48-50, 57-82, and 89-93, and a method for preparing the dispersion. The dispersion may be used in various fields of use of metals.

A composition for forming a transparent coating film including hollow silica microparticles and a binder is provided. The hollow silica microparticles have an average particle diameter of 5 to 300 nm when measured by the dynamic light scattering method, a specific surface area of 50 to 1500 m.sup.2/g, and an outer shell in which cavities are formed. The microparticles lose weight by 1.0 W % or more at a temperature in the range of from 200° C. to 500° C. when measured by the thermogravimetry (TG). A surface charge (QA) of the hollow silica microparticles contained in the compositions for forming a transparent coating film is in the range from 5 to 20 μeq/g.

A composition for forming a transparent coating film including hollow silica microparticles and a binder is provided. The hollow silica microparticles have an average particle diameter of 5 to 300 nm when measured by the dynamic light scattering method, a specific surface area of 50 to 1500 m.sup.2/g, and an outer shell in which cavities are formed. The microparticles lose weight by 1.0 W % or more at a temperature in the range of from 200° C. to 500° C. when measured by the thermogravimetry (TG). A surface charge (QA) of the hollow silica microparticles contained in the compositions for forming a transparent coating film is in the range from 5 to 20 μeq/g.

A silica-based particle dispersion including a silica-based particle group and a high polishing rate and high surface precision is achieved to a silica-based substrate or a NiP-plated substrate to be polished or the like. A silica-based particle dispersion containing a group including irregularly-shaped and non-irregularly-shaped silica-based particles, wherein the irregularly-shaped silica-based particles each have a plurality of small holes thereinside and a covering silica layer which covers the core, and the silica-based particle group satisfies [1]-[3]. [1] Having an average particle size (D.sub.1) of 100-600 nm, and a particle size (D.sub.2) of 30-300 nm in terms of specific surface area. [2] An irregular-shape degree D (D=D.sub.1/D.sub.3) represented by the average particle size (D.sub.1) and a projected area-equivalent particle size (D.sub.3) being in the range of 1.1-5.0. [3] When waveform separation is performed on a volume-reference particle size distribution, a multi-peak distribution in which three or more peaks are detected.

A slurry for chemical mechanical planarization includes a surfactant, and abrasive particles having an average diameter between 20 and 30 nm and an outer surface of ceria. The abrasive particles are formed using a hydrothermal synthesis process. The abrasive particles are between 0.1 and 3 wt % of the slurry.

Nitric oxide-releasing materials, methods of making nitric oxide-releasing materials, and uses of nitric oxide-releasing materials are provided. The nitric oxide-releasing materials include a mesoporous silica core and an outer surface having a plurality of nitric oxide donors. In an exemplary aspects, the nitric oxide-releasing material includes a mesoporous diatomaceous earth core, and an outer surface having a plurality of S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine groups covalently attached thereto. Uses of the nitric oxide-releasing materials can include coatings for medical devices such as catheters, grafts, and stents; wound gauzes; acne medications; and antiseptic mouthwashes; among others.

Nitric oxide-releasing materials, methods of making nitric oxide-releasing materials, and uses of nitric oxide-releasing materials are provided. The nitric oxide-releasing materials include a mesoporous silica core and an outer surface having a plurality of nitric oxide donors. In an exemplary aspects, the nitric oxide-releasing material includes a mesoporous diatomaceous earth core, and an outer surface having a plurality of S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine groups covalently attached thereto. Uses of the nitric oxide-releasing materials can include coatings for medical devices such as catheters, grafts, and stents; wound gauzes; acne medications; and antiseptic mouthwashes; among others.

Methods for synthesis of high surface area porous silicon-based materials and structures that can be formed according to the methods are described. Methods are scalable and capable of producing large quantities of the high surface area materials with high efficiency. The high surface area products can be in the form of a 3D network of interconnected arms or quills with multimodal porosity including high level pores between and among arms, hollow cores of the arms of the network, and pores through the walls of the arms of the network.