A method of producing a silica gel by hydrolyzing a silicon alkoxide and subjecting the resulting hydrogel to a hydrothermal treatment substantially without aging it is described. Also described in a silica gel produced by such a method and a silica gel which has the following characteristics: (a) the pore volume is from 0.6 to 1.6 ml/g, (b) the specific surface area is from 300 to 900 m 2 /g, (c) the mode diameter (Dmax) of pores is less than 20 nm, (d) the volume of pores having diameters within ±20% of Dmax is at least 50% of the total pore volume, (e) it is amorphous, and (f) the content of metal impurities is at most 500 ppm.
1. A method of producing a silica gel, which comprises:
hydrolyzing a silicon alkoxide, thereby forming a hydrogel; and
subjecting the hydrogel to a hydrothermal treatment substantially without aging, thereby producing a silica gel which has the following characteristics:
(a) a pore volume ranging from 0.6 to 1.6 ml/g,
(b) a specific surface area ranging from 300 to 900 m 2 /g,
(c) a mode diameter (Dmax) of pores of less than 20 nm,
(d) a volume of pores having diameters within ±20% of Dmax of at least 50% of the total pore volume; and
(e) it is amorphous.
2. The method for producing a silica gel according to claim 1 , wherein a hydrogel having a breaking stress of at most 6 MPa is subjected to the hydrothermal treatment.
3. The method for producing a silica gel according to claim 1 , wherein the hydrothermal treatment is carried out at a temperature ranging from 50 to 150° C. for from 1 to 10 hours.
4. The method for producing a silica gel according to claim 1 , wherein the hydrothermal treatment is conducted in ammonia water.
5. The method for producing a silica gel according to claim 1 , wherein hydrolysis of said silicon alkoxide is conducted in the absence of a template.
6. A silica gel, produced by a process comprising:
hydrolyzing a silicon alkoxide, thereby forming a hydrogel; and
subjecting the hydrogel to a hydrothermal treatment substantially without aging the hydrogel, thereby producing a silica gel which has the following characteristics:
(a) a pore volume ranging from 0.6 to 1.6 ml/g,
(b) a specific surface area ranging from 300 to 900 m 2 /g,
(c) a mode diameter (Dmax) of pores of less than 20 nm,
(d) a volume of pores having diameters within ±20% of Dmax of at least 50% of the total pore volume; and
(e) it is amorphous.
7. The silica gel according to claim 6 , wherein a hydrogel having a breaking stress of at most 6 MPa is subjected to the hydrothermal treatment.
8. The silica gel according to claim 6 , wherein the hydrothermal treatment is carried out at a temperature ranging from 50 to 150° C. for from 1 to 10 hours.
9. The silica gel according to claim 6 , wherein the hydrothermal treatment is conducted in ammonia water.
10. The silica gel according to claim 6 , wherein hydrolysis of said silicon ailcoxide is conducted in the absence of a template.