In an ultraviolet-shielding particle coated with silicon oxide of the present invention, a surface of the ultraviolet-shielding particle is coated with a silicon oxide coat, at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, and a cycloalkyl group is present on a surface of the silicon oxide coat, and a content of the functional group is 0.0001% by mass or more and 0.30% by mass or less.

Provided are methods for forming polymer-infiltrated nanoparticle films by using capillary action to draw mobile molecular chains into the pores of a bed of nanoparticles. The chains can spread across the entire bed of nanoparticles. The disclosed methods also provide the formation of patterned polymer-infiltrated nanoparticle film compositions, as well as laterally graded compositions and compositions that feature a polymer gradient through the composition's thickness. Articles can be formed that include a plurality of polymer types infiltrated into the bed of nanoparticles.

Provided are methods for forming polymer-infiltrated nanoparticle films by using capillary action to draw mobile molecular chains into the pores of a bed of nanoparticles. The chains can spread across the entire bed of nanoparticles. The disclosed methods also provide the formation of patterned polymer-infiltrated nanoparticle film compositions, as well as laterally graded compositions and compositions that feature a polymer gradient through the composition's thickness. Articles can be formed that include a plurality of polymer types infiltrated into the bed of nanoparticles.

This invention relates to a defoamer active. The defoamer active may include hydrophobized silica particles obtained by treating silica particles with a hydrophobilizing agent. The silica particles may have a BET surface of less than about 150 m.sup.2/g, a surface pH of at least about 10, and a median particle size ranging from about 2 μm to about 50 μm. The carbon content of the hydrophobized silica particles may not be more than 3%.

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.

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.

Tracers for oil recovery, particularly fluorescent nanotracers conservative in aqueous phases. The tracer comprises a core-shell nanoparticle tailored according to the operation to be traced. It contains a fluorescent core that allows the detection thereof in the field and a functionalized polymeric shell that provides increased stability in high salinity aqueous phases. A method for preparing said nanotracer. Given the nanotracer versatility, it can be used both for tracing fracking steps as well as meshes of secondary and tertiary recovery.

Tracers for oil recovery, particularly fluorescent nanotracers conservative in aqueous phases. The tracer comprises a core-shell nanoparticle tailored according to the operation to be traced. It contains a fluorescent core that allows the detection thereof in the field and a functionalized polymeric shell that provides increased stability in high salinity aqueous phases. A method for preparing said nanotracer. Given the nanotracer versatility, it can be used both for tracing fracking steps as well as meshes of secondary and tertiary recovery.