A method of forming a colloidal silica composition, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a silicic acid solution, a metal salt solution and an alkaline solution; mixing and further processing the silicic acid solution and the metal salt solution with the alkaline solution; selectively adding the metal salt solution and the silicic acid solution to the alkaline solution to form a colloid of silica particles containing the metal; forming one or more silica particles doped with a metal wherein the metal is dispersed within one or more of the silica particles, and wherein the solid phase of the metal silica colloid is substantially amorphous; wherein the step of selectively adding the metal salt solution and the silicic acid solution to the alkaline solution to form a colloid of silica particles containing the metal comprises one of the following alternative steps: a) adding the metal salt solution before the silicic acid solution and forming the colloid of silica particles wherein the metal is dispersed within an interior layer of one or more of the silica particles, or b) adding the silicic acid solution before the metal salt solution and forming the colloid of silica particles wherein the metal is dispersed within an outer layer of one or more of the silica particles, or c) adding the metal salt solution and the silicic acid solution in an alternating manner and forming the colloid of silica particles having a metal-containing layer and a non-metal containing layer. preparing a silicic acid solution, a metal salt solution and an alkaline solution; mixing and further processing the silicic acid solution and the metal salt solution with the alkaline solution; selectively adding the metal salt solution and the silicic acid solution to the alkaline solution to form a colloid of silica particles containing the metal; forming one or more silica particles doped with a metal wherein the metal is dispersed within one or more of the silica particles, and wherein the solid phase of the metal silica colloid is substantially amorphous; wherein the step of selectively adding the metal salt solution and the silicic acid solution to the alkaline solution to form a colloid of silica particles containing the metal comprises one of the following alternative steps: a) adding the metal salt solution before the silicic acid solution and forming the colloid of silica particles wherein the metal is dispersed within an interior layer of one or more of the silica particles, or b) adding the silicic acid solution before the metal salt solution and forming the colloid of silica particles wherein the metal is dispersed within an outer layer of one or more of the silica particles, or c) adding the metal salt solution and the silicic acid solution in an alternating manner and forming the colloid of silica particles having a metal-containing layer and a non-metal containing layer. a) adding the metal salt solution before the silicic acid solution and forming the colloid of silica particles wherein the metal is dispersed within an interior layer of one or more of the silica particles, or b) adding the silicic acid solution before the metal salt solution and forming the colloid of silica particles wherein the metal is dispersed within an outer layer of one or more of the silica particles, or c) adding the metal salt solution and the silicic acid solution in an alternating manner and forming the colloid of silica particles having a metal-containing layer and a non-metal containing layer.