The present invention relates to a process for modifying a layered double hydroxide (LDH), the process comprising, a. providing a water-wet layered double hydroxide of formula:
[M.sup.z+.sub.1-xM′.sup.y+.sub.x].sup.a+(X.sup.n−).sub.a/r.bH.sub.2O   (1) wherein M and M′ are metal cations, z=1 or 2; y=3 or 4, x is 0.1 to 1, preferably x<1, more preferably x=0.1-0.9, b is greater than 0 to 10, X is an anion, r is 1 to 3, n is the charge on the anion X and a is determined by x, y and z, preferably a=z(1-x)+xy-2; b. maintaining the layered double hydroxide water-wet, and c. contacting the water-wet layered double hydroxide with at least one solvent, the solvent being miscible with water and preferably having a solvent polarity (P′) in the range 3.8 to 9,
as well as to a layered double hydroxide prepared according to that process.

A carbon black pellet comprising a plurality of agglomerates, aggregates, or primary carbon black particles and a binder including a functional polymer.

A carbon black pellet comprising a plurality of agglomerates, aggregates, or primary carbon black particles and a binder including a functional polymer.

VO.sub.2 and V.sub.2O.sub.5 nano- or micro-materials. The VO.sub.2 nano-materials and micro-materials have an M1 phase structure and oxygen stoichiometry that deviates 2% or less from theoretical stoichiometry. The VO.sub.2 nano-materials and micro-materials may doped with cation dopants and/or anion dopants. The VO.sub.2 and V.sub.2O.sub.5 nano- or micro-materials can be made by hydrothermal methods starting with V.sub.3O.sub.7.H.sub.2O nano- or micro-material. The VO.sub.2 and V.sub.2O.sub.5 nano- or micro-materials can be used as, for example, thermochromic window coatings.

A silica-encapsulated nano-phase change material and its preparation method are provided. An n-octadecane SiO2 nanoscale phase change material is prepared by sol-gel and microemulsion coupling under alkaline conditions using silica as the shell material and n-octadecane as the core material in a microcapsule and using ethyl n-silicate as the silica source, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as the emulsifier, and water and ethanol as the solvents. The materials prepared have a particle size of about 500 nm, a phase transition temperature of 27.7? C., a latent heat of phase transition of 159.74 J/g, and an elevated thermal decomposition temperature of 50? C. increase compared with that of the existing n-octadecane.

The present invention relates to a process for modifying a layered double hydroxide (LDH), the process comprising, a. providing a water-wet layered double hydroxide of formula:

[M.sup.z+.sub.1-xM.sup.y+.sub.x].sup.a+(X.sup.n).sub.a/r.bH.sub.2O (1) wherein M and M are metal cations, z=1 or 2; y=3 or 4, x is 0.1 to 1, preferably x<1, more preferably x=0.1-0.9, b is greater than 0 to 10, X is an anion, r is 1 to 3, n is the charge on the anion X and a is determined by x, y and z, preferably a=z(1-x)+xy-2; b. maintaining the layered double hydroxide water-wet, and c. contacting the water-wet layered double hydroxide with at least one solvent, the solvent being miscible with water and preferably having a solvent polarity (P) in the range 3.8 to 9,
as well as to a layered double hydroxide prepared according to that process.

A dental material comprising a pigment, wherein the pigment contains Al, Cr and one or more of Y, La and lanthanides. The dental material allows mimicking the red coloration of natural teeth and natural oral mucosa. Also provided is the use of the dental material and the pigment and starting compositions for making the pigment in the preparation of a dental restoration. Furthermore, a process for preparing a dental restoration and a process for preparing the pigment is provided.

The present invention relates to a calcined shaped alumina and to a method of preparing a calcined shaped alumina. The method comprises that the alumina in the alumina suspension is hydrothermally aged to have a specific crystallite size. This in turn produces a highly stable alumina in the form of a calcined shaped alumina particularly at temperatures of 1200 C. and above.

An aqueous dispersion of pigmented opacifying polymer particles, the particles comprising: i. an inorganic core comprising dispersed inorganic pigment particle and a dispersant ii. a first layer of base-swellable polymer comprising acid groups encapsulating the core iii. a second layer of non-base-swellable polymer encapsulating the first layer wherein the dispersant comprises or consists of hydroxyl moieties; and carboxyl groups derived from itaconic acid.

A method of preparing an aqueous dispersion of opacifying polymer particles containing inorganic pigment particles therein is disclosed. The method yields hollow polymer particles containing pigment particles therein using a non-RAFT emulsion polymerization process by free radical polymerization. The technique is much faster and simpler than known RAFT methods.