Aerogel materials, aerogel composites, and the like may be improved by the addition of opacifiers to reduce the radiative component of heat transfer. Such aerogel materials, aerogel composites, and the like may also be treated to impart or improve hydrophobicity. Such aerogel materials and methods of manufacturing the same are described.

A particulate mixture, suitable for use in ceramic article production, wherein the mixture includes from 30 wt % to 80 wt % recycled aluminium silicate material. The particulate mixture has a particle size distribution such that: (i) the d.sub.50 particle size is from 10 μm to 30 μm; (ii) the d.sub.70 particle size is less than 40 μm; and (iii) the d.sub.98 particle size is less than 60 μm.

A particulate mixture, suitable for use in ceramic article production, wherein the mixture includes from 30 wt % to 80 wt % recycled aluminium silicate material. The particulate mixture has a particle size distribution such that: (i) the d.sub.50 particle size is from 10 μm to 30 μm; (ii) the d.sub.70 particle size is less than 40 μm; and (iii) the d.sub.98 particle size is less than 60 μm.

Synthetic pozzolans are produced using local materials to provide a cementitious material that is uniform in chemistry and properties independent of the location where the materials are obtained. Two methods of production are described. One is a high temperature process in which materials are processed in a semi-molten or molten state. The second process is a low temperature aqueous process.

Synthetic pozzolans are produced using local materials to provide a cementitious material that is uniform in chemistry and properties independent of the location where the materials are obtained. Two methods of production are described. One is a high temperature process in which materials are processed in a semi-molten or molten state. The second process is a low temperature aqueous process.

A process for the production of a ceramic article includes the steps of: (a) preparing a particulate mixture; (b) contacting the particulate mixture to water to form a humidified mixture; (c) pressing the humidified mixture to form a green article; (d) optionally, subjecting the green article to an initial drying step; (e) optionally, glazing the green article to form a glazed green article; (f) subjecting the green article to a heat treatment step to form a hot fused article; and (g) cooling the hot fused article to form a glazed ceramic article. The particulate mixture includes from 30 wt % to 80 wt % recycled aluminium silicate material. The particulate mixture has: (i) a d.sub.50 particle size from 10 μm to 30 μm; (ii) a d.sub.70 particle size of less than 40 μm; and (iii) a d.sub.98 particle size of less than 60 μm. Steps (c) and (f), and optionally steps (d) and (e) are continuous process steps.

A process for the production of a ceramic article includes the steps of: (a) preparing a particulate mixture; (b) contacting the particulate mixture to water to form a humidified mixture; (c) pressing the humidified mixture to form a green article; (d) optionally, subjecting the green article to an initial drying step; (e) optionally, glazing the green article to form a glazed green article; (f) subjecting the green article to a heat treatment step to form a hot fused article; and (g) cooling the hot fused article to form a glazed ceramic article. The particulate mixture includes from 30 wt % to 80 wt % recycled aluminium silicate material. The particulate mixture has: (i) a d.sub.50 particle size from 10 μm to 30 μm; (ii) a d.sub.70 particle size of less than 40 μm; and (iii) a d.sub.98 particle size of less than 60 μm. Steps (c) and (f), and optionally steps (d) and (e) are continuous process steps.

A novel synthetic crystalline aluminogermanosilicate molecular sieve material, designated SSZ-121 is provided which exhibits increased acidity. The SSZ-121 can be synthesized using 1,3-bis(1-adamantyl)imidazolium cations as a structure directing agent. The synthesis employs a boron pathway to achieve increased acid sites. The SSZ-121 of increased acidity may be used in organic compound conversion reactions and/or sorptive processes.

A novel synthetic crystalline molecular sieve material, designated SSZ-113 is provided which exhibits increased acidity. The SSZ-113 can be synthesized using 1,3-bis(2,3-dimethyl-1H-imidazolium)propane dications as a structure directing agent. The synthesis employs a boron pathway to achieve increased acid sites. The SSZ-113 of increased acidity may be used in organic compound conversion and/or sorptive processes.

A novel synthetic crystalline borongermanosilicate molecular sieve material, designated boron SSZ-117x, is provided. The boron SSZ-117x can be synthesized using N,N,N,3,5-pentamethyladamantan-1-ammonium cations as a structure directing agent. The synthesis employs a boron pathway to achieve the boron molecular sieve. The boron SSZ-117x may be used in organic compound conversion reactions, such as reforming, and/or sorptive processes.