A composition comprising an inorganic particulate material adapted to convert a biomass material into hydrolysis products is provided. The inorganic particulate material comprises at least 0.1 wt. % of at least one impurity in its crystal structure based on the total weight of the inorganic particulate material. Methods of convert a biomass material into hydrolysis products using the compositions comprising an inorganic particulate material are also provided.

A composition comprising an inorganic particulate material adapted to convert a biomass material into hydrolysis products is provided. The inorganic particulate material comprises at least 0.1 wt. % of at least one impurity in its crystal structure based on the total weight of the inorganic particulate material. Methods of convert a biomass material into hydrolysis products using the compositions comprising an inorganic particulate material are also provided.

A process for preparing a composition including synthetic mineral particles, in which a hydrogel which is a precursor of the synthetic mineral particles is prepared via a coprecipitation reaction between at least one compound including silicon, and at least one compound including at least one metal element, characterized in that the coprecipitation reaction takes place in the presence of at least one carboxylate salt of formula R.sub.2COOM in which: M denotes a metal chosen from the group made up of Na and K, and R.sub.2 is chosen from H and alkyl groups including fewer than 5 carbon atoms. A composition including synthetic mineral particles which is obtained by such a process is also described.

A process for preparing a composition including synthetic mineral particles, in which a hydrogel which is a precursor of the synthetic mineral particles is prepared via a coprecipitation reaction between at least one compound including silicon, and at least one compound including at least one metal element, characterized in that the coprecipitation reaction takes place in the presence of at least one carboxylate salt of formula R.sub.2COOM in which: M denotes a metal chosen from the group made up of Na and K, and R.sub.2 is chosen from H and alkyl groups including fewer than 5 carbon atoms. A composition including synthetic mineral particles which is obtained by such a process is also described.

A mineral carbonation process, characterized in that the silicate feedstock is thermally activated by using heat generated from the combustion of fuel prior to reacting the activated slurry feedstock with carbon dioxide.

A composition may include a first talc having a morphology index less than or equal to about 0.6 and a second talc having a morphology index greater than or equal to about 0.6. The first talc and the second talc may form a talc composition, and the talc composition may have a content ratio of the first talc to the second talc ranging from about 30:70 by weight to about 80:20 by weight. A polymer composition may include a polymer matrix and a filler composition. The filler composition may include a first talc having a morphology index less than or equal to about 0.8 and a second talc having a morphology index greater than or equal to about 0.8, The filler composition may have a content ratio of the first talc to the second talc ranging from about 30:70 by weight to about 80:20 by weight. The first talc may be a microcrystalline talc. The second talc may be a macrocrystalline talc.

A composition may include a first talc having a morphology index less than or equal to about 0.6 and a second talc having a morphology index greater than or equal to about 0.6. The first talc and the second talc may form a talc composition, and the talc composition may have a content ratio of the first talc to the second talc ranging from about 30:70 by weight to about 80:20 by weight. A polymer composition may include a polymer matrix and a filler composition. The filler composition may include a first talc having a morphology index less than or equal to about 0.8 and a second talc having a morphology index greater than or equal to about 0.8, The filler composition may have a content ratio of the first talc to the second talc ranging from about 30:70 by weight to about 80:20 by weight. The first talc may be a microcrystalline talc. The second talc may be a macrocrystalline talc.

The invention provides silane-treated forsterite microparticles having a specific surface area of 5 to 100 m.sup.2/g, wherein 1 to 5 silyl groups are bound to 1 nm.sup.2 of the surface area thereof.

The invention provides silane-treated forsterite microparticles having a specific surface area of 5 to 100 m.sup.2/g, wherein 1 to 5 silyl groups are bound to 1 nm.sup.2 of the surface area thereof.

A process for capturing or concentrating microorganisms for detection or assay comprises (a) providing a concentration agent that comprises an amorphous metal silicate and that has a surface composition having a metal atom to silicon atom ratio of less than or equal to about 0.5, as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS); (b) providing a sample comprising at least one microorganism strain; and (c) contacting the concentration agent with the sample such that at least a portion of the at least one microorganism strain is bound to or captured by the concentration agent.