Layered double hydroxides having a high surface area (at least 125 m.sup.2/g) and the formula (I)

[M.sup.z+.sub.1-xM.sup.y+.sub.x(OH).sub.2].sup.a+(X.sup.n-).sub.a/n.sup.+bH.sub.2O.c(AMO-solvent)(I)

wherein M and M are different and each is a charged metal cation (and must be present), z=1 or 2; y=3 or 4, 0<x<0.9, b is 0 to 10, c=0 to 10, X is an anion, n is the charge on the anion, and a=z(1x)+xy2; AMO-solvent is aqueous miscible organic solvent, may be prepared by a method which comprises a) precipitating a layered double hydroxide having the formula

[M.sup.z+.sub.1-xM.sup.y+.sub.x(OH).sub.2].sup.a+(X.sup.n-).sub.a/n.sup.+bH.sub.2O wherein M, M, z, y, x, a, b and X are as defined above from a solution containing the cations of the metals M and M and the anion X.sup.n-; b) ageing the layered double hydroxide precipitate obtained in step a) in the original solution; c) collecting, then washing the layered double hydroxide precipitate; d) dispersing the wet layered double hydroxide in an AMO solvent so as to produce a slurry of the layered double hydroxide in the solvent; e) maintaining the dispersion obtained in step d); and f) recovering and drying the layered double hydroxide.

The high surface area products have low particle size and are particularly suitable for use as catalysts, catalyst supports, sorbents and coatings.

The invention relates to a setting accelerator for a dry mortar blend, the setting accelerator being in the form of a powder comprising calcium nitrate and having a water content between 0.1% and 20%. The invention furthermore relates to a process for producing such a setting accelerator, wherein either prills and/or granules comprising calcium nitrate and a different nitrate salt are processed forming a powder comprising calcium nitrate and the different nitrate salt and having a water content of higher than 5% and lower than 20%, either an aqueous solution at least comprising dissolved calcium nitrate is spray dried at a temperature between 150 C. and 250 C., forming a powder comprising at least calcium nitrate and having a water content between 0.1% and 20%, the powder serving as the setting accelerator. The invention also relates to a dry mortar blend comprising at least a cement, sand and a setting accelerator according to the invention and to a mortar paste comprising the dry mortar blend according to the invention which is mixed with water.

The invention relates to a setting accelerator for a dry mortar blend, the setting accelerator being in the form of a powder comprising calcium nitrate and having a water content between 0.1% and 20%. The invention furthermore relates to a process for producing such a setting accelerator, wherein either prills and/or granules comprising calcium nitrate and a different nitrate salt are processed forming a powder comprising calcium nitrate and the different nitrate salt and having a water content of higher than 5% and lower than 20%, either an aqueous solution at least comprising dissolved calcium nitrate is spray dried at a temperature between 150 C. and 250 C., forming a powder comprising at least calcium nitrate and having a water content between 0.1% and 20%, the powder serving as the setting accelerator. The invention also relates to a dry mortar blend comprising at least a cement, sand and a setting accelerator according to the invention and to a mortar paste comprising the dry mortar blend according to the invention which is mixed with water.

The present disclosure relates to a curable precursor of an adhesive composition, the curable precursor comprising a curable resin and a curing accelerator, wherein the curing accelerator comprises calcium hydroxide nitrate particles. The present disclosure further relates to processes for making calcium hydroxide nitrate particles as used for said curable precursor.

The present disclosure relates to a curable precursor of an adhesive composition, the curable precursor comprising a curable resin and a curing accelerator, wherein the curing accelerator comprises calcium hydroxide nitrate particles. The present disclosure further relates to processes for making calcium hydroxide nitrate particles as used for said curable precursor.