Patent ID: 6562310
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: C01B

Abstract:
A process for preparing a silica-based material, comprising:(i) dissolving a source compound containing a Group IIA element in a carboxylic acid to form a solution; (ii) adding to the solution obtained in step (i) a silicate selected from the group consisting of Si(OR1)4 and SiR3(OR2)3, where R1 is a C1 to C4 alkyl group, R2 is a C1 to C8 alkyl group and R3 is H, C6H5 or R2, where C6H5 is a phenyl group, to form a gel; (iii) aging the gel product obtained in step (ii) for a time sufficient to incorporate the Group IIA element into the gel; (iv) refluxing the product obtained in step (iii) two or more times in a volatile solvent that is miscible or soluble with the carboxylic acid utilized in step (i); (v) drying the product obtained in step (iv) to yield a silica-based material; (vi) optionally, calcining the silica-based material obtained in step (v).