A method for producing an aqueous composition comprising a condensate based on silicon compounds, involving the steps of i) introducing at least one polymeric rheology control agent into water; ii) adding at least one acidic catalyst; iii) adding at least one silicon compound of general formula (I) RnSiX4-n in which the radicals X are the same or different and stand for hydrolysable groups or hydroxyl groups, the radicals R are the same or different and stand for non-hydrolysable groups, and n is 0, 1, 2, or 3; and iv) performing a hydrolysis reaction of at least part of the silicon compounds of general formula (I) added in step iii). The present invention further relates to a composition that can be obtained by means of the method according to the invention.

A method for producing an aqueous composition comprising a condensate based on silicon compounds, involving the steps of i) introducing at least one polymeric rheology control agent into water; ii) adding at least one acidic catalyst; iii) adding at least one silicon compound of general formula (I) RnSiX4-n in which the radicals X are the same or different and stand for hydrolysable groups or hydroxyl groups, the radicals R are the same or different and stand for non-hydrolysable groups, and n is 0, 1, 2, or 3; and iv) performing a hydrolysis reaction of at least part of the silicon compounds of general formula (I) added in step iii). The present invention further relates to a composition that can be obtained by means of the method according to the invention.

A method for producing an aqueous composition comprising a condensate based on silicon compounds, involving the steps of i) introducing at least one polymeric rheology control agent into water; ii) adding at least one acidic catalyst; iii) adding at least one silicon compound of general formula (I) RnSiX4-n in which the radicals X are the same or different and stand for hydrolysable groups or hydroxyl groups, the radicals R are the same or different and stand for non-hydrolysable groups, and n is 0, 1, 2, or 3; and iv) performing a hydrolysis reaction of at least part of the silicon compounds of general formula (I) added in step iii). The present invention further relates to a composition that can be obtained by means of the method according to the invention.

The present invention provides a process for producing microcapsules capable of retaining an organic compound as an active ingredient such as fragrance materials therein over a long period of time. The present invention relates to process for producing microcapsules, which includes step (1) of emulsifying an organic phase including at least one organic compound and a tetraalkoxysilane such that a content of the tetraalkoxysilane in the organic phase is not less than 10% by mass and not more than 60% by mass on the basis of the organic compound, in a water phase inducing a surfactant, and subjecting the resulting emulsion to a sol-gel reaction under acidic conditions to form capsules each including the core and the first shell; and step (2) of further adding a tetraalkoxysilane to a water dispersion containing the capsules obtained in the step (1), and subjecting the obtained mixture to a sol-gel reaction while maintaining an initial pH value in the sol-gel reaction of the step (2) below an initial pH value in the sol-gel reaction of the step (1) to form the capsules each including the second shell encapsulating the first shell.

The present invention provides a process for producing microcapsules capable of retaining an organic compound as an active ingredient such as fragrance materials therein over a long period of time. The present invention relates to process for producing microcapsules, which includes step (1) of emulsifying an organic phase including at least one organic compound and a tetraalkoxysilane such that a content of the tetraalkoxysilane in the organic phase is not less than 10% by mass and not more than 60% by mass on the basis of the organic compound, in a water phase inducing a surfactant, and subjecting the resulting emulsion to a sol-gel reaction under acidic conditions to form capsules each including the core and the first shell; and step (2) of further adding a tetraalkoxysilane to a water dispersion containing the capsules obtained in the step (1), and subjecting the obtained mixture to a sol-gel reaction while maintaining an initial pH value in the sol-gel reaction of the step (2) below an initial pH value in the sol-gel reaction of the step (1) to form the capsules each including the second shell encapsulating the first shell.

A coating process includes adding a body to a reactor; adding a metal alkoxide or precursors thereof to the reactor; adding a catalyst for the hydrolysis of the metal alkoxide to the reactor; and coating the surface of the body with a metal oxide-containing coating layer through the hydrolysis and dehydration condensation of the metal alkoxide. The addition of a body precedes at least one of the addition of a metal alkoxide or precursors thereof and the addition of a catalyst.

A water-based surface treatment agent includes an organic-inorganic silicon compound (A) and inorganic particle (B), wherein the organic-inorganic silicon compound (A) is adapted to be a compound that is obtained by mixing a colloidal silica (C) and an organoalkoxysilane (D). In this regard, the ratio (M.sub.B/M.sub.A) between the solid content mass M.sub.A of the organic-inorganic silicon compound (A) and the solid content mass M.sub.B of the inorganic particle (B) preferably falls within the range from 0.2 or more and 2.0 or less, the average particle size of the organic-inorganic silicon compound (A) preferably falls within the range of 3 nm or more and 500 nm or less. In addition, the average particle size of the inorganic particle (B) preferably falls within the range of 10 nm or more and 600 nm or less.

A water-based surface treatment agent includes an organic-inorganic silicon compound (A) and inorganic particle (B), wherein the organic-inorganic silicon compound (A) is adapted to be a compound that is obtained by mixing a colloidal silica (C) and an organoalkoxysilane (D). In this regard, the ratio (M.sub.B/M.sub.A) between the solid content mass M.sub.A of the organic-inorganic silicon compound (A) and the solid content mass M.sub.B of the inorganic particle (B) preferably falls within the range from 0.2 or more and 2.0 or less, the average particle size of the organic-inorganic silicon compound (A) preferably falls within the range of 3 nm or more and 500 nm or less. In addition, the average particle size of the inorganic particle (B) preferably falls within the range of 10 nm or more and 600 nm or less.

Coated articles demonstrating anti-reflective properties are provided. Exemplary coated articles comprise a substrate and an anti-reflective coating layer applied to at least one surface of the substrate. The anti-reflective coating layer is formed from an acidic sol-gel composition comprising: (a) tetraalkoxysilane; (b) alkyl trialkoxysilane; (c) a silane-functional acrylic polymer; (d) inorganic oxide particles; (e) a mineral acid; (f) water; and (g) a solvent. The coated article optionally further comprises an outermost anti-fouling coating layer applied to at least one surface of the anti-reflective coating layer.

Certain example embodiments relate to a coated article including a coating formed from a sol that has hydrophobic surface properties. The sol may include a mixture of at least two alkylsiloxane chemicals, with the sol potentially being aged for a certain comparatively short amount of time before being wet-applied to a major substrate surface. The application process may also undergo a certain comparatively short curing process to help provide hydrophobic surface properties. The hydrophobic surface properties help provide anti-soiling functions that are advantageous in a variety of applications including, for example, solar mirror applications.