A process for recovery of lithium ions from a lithium-bearing brine, the process comprising: contacting the lithium-bearing brine with a lithium ion adsorbent based on orthosilicate. The lithium ion adsorbent is a de-lithiated form of: Li.sub.2X.sub.1-y-zY.sub.yZ.sub.zSiO.sub.4, where y and z together=0 to 1 and X, Y and Z are each Fe, Mg, Ca, Ni, Mn, Co, Zn, Cu, Ti, V, Sr or Zr.

The present disclosure provides methods that use polymerized alkali silicate gels. An example method comprises: introducing a polymerized alkali silicate gel into a subterranean formation containing a fault, wherein the polymerized alkali silicate gel is introduced the subterranean formation such that at least a leading edge of polymerized alkali silicate gel is placed in the fault or within about 10 miles from the fault.

The present invention refers to a stable sodium and iron silicate solution that has a weight ratio of SiO.sub.2 to Na.sub.2O from 1.5 to 2.5 and a total percentage of solids, expressed by the sum of SiO.sub.2 and Na.sub.2O, from 20% to 55%. Said solution also has a soluble iron content, expressed by Fe, from 0.1% to 7%, and a water content from 38% to 79.9%. The present invention also refers to the process for preparing said stable solution of sodium and iron silicate, which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a siliceous material containing iron; (b) submitting said siliceous material containing iron to a hydrothermal treatment with caustic soda under high temperature and controlled pressure; and (c) filtering said reacted solution to separate the reacted portion of the hydrothermal treatment from the unreacted portion. Additionally, the present invention refers to the uses of said stable sodium and iron silicate solution.

The invention relates to a method for producing a silane-modified silicate. In order to obtain optimal corrosion protection properties, a silane compound according to the invention is at least partially hydrolyzed and/or condensed in the presence of a silicate compound at a pH value greater than or equal to 8 and then a pH value less than or equal to 7 is set by adding acid. The invention further relates to an aqueous acidic passivation composition for metal substrate coated with the passivation composition.

A method of producing a synthetic functionalized additive including the steps of mixing an amount of a magnesium salt with a fluid medium to produce a magnesium-containing fluid, adding an amount of a silane to the magnesium-containing fluid to produce a reactant mix, adding an amount of an aqueous hydroxide to the reactant mix to produce a reaction mixture, mixing the reaction mixture for a mix period, refluxing the reaction mixture for a reflux period to produce a product mix, treating the product mix to separate the synthetic functionalized additive.

An anode active material for a lithium secondary battery is provided which includes a composite including: a silicon-based material including a lithium silicate; and a lithium-containing phosphate, wherein a peak intensity ratio B/A is 0.01 to 0.5, wherein A is a peak intensity at 2θ=28.5°, and B is a peak intensity at 2θ=22.3°, when an X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis is performed using a Cu—Kα ray.

The present invention relates to bioavailable (which may also be referred to as plant available) silicon, such as in the form of a concentrate or solid, and processes for producing and using bioavailable silicon.

The present invention refers to a stable sodium and iron silicate solution that has a weight ratio of SiO.sub.2 to Na.sub.2O from 1.5 to 2.5 and a total percentage of solids, expressed by the sum of SiO.sub.2 and Na.sub.2O, from 20% to 55%. Said solution also has a soluble iron content, expressed by Fe, from 0.1% to 7%, and a water content from 38% to 79.9%. The present invention also refers to the process for preparing said stable solution of sodium and iron silicate, which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a siliceous material containing iron; (b) submitting said siliceous material containing iron to a hydrothermal treatment with caustic soda under high temperature and controlled pressure; and (c) filtering said reacted solution to separate the reacted portion of the hydrothermal treatment from the unreacted portion. Additionally, the present invention refers to the uses of said stable sodium and iron silicate solution.

In an example of the method disclosed herein, SiO.sub.x (0<x<2) particles are combined with a lithium metal. The SiO.sub.x (0<x<2) particles and the lithium metal are caused to react to form lithium oxide nanoparticles in a silicon matrix. At least some of the lithium oxide nanoparticles are removed from the silicon matrix to form porous silicon particles.

Disclosed herein is a method of preparing a silica aerogel. The silica aerogel is prepared by adding a first water glass solution and an acid catalyst to a reactor to form a first silica wet gel. The method further includes adding a second water glass solution and an acid catalyst to the first silica wet gel. The method further includes adding a surface modifier solution to the first silica wet gel to form a second silica wet gel. The method further includes drying a silica wet gel including the first silica wet gel and the second silica wet gel. The prepared silica aerogel has a tap density of 0.032 to 0.070 g/mL and a carbon content of 11.2 to 12.1 wt %.