The present invention relates to a silica sol having a pH above about 10, molar ratio of SiO2:M2O, in which M is alkali metal, of from about 6:1 to about 16:1, concentration of soluble silica above about 3000 mg SiO2/l, and S-value of from about 18 to about 40%. The invention further relates to a process for producing a silica sol which comprises acidifying an aqueous alkali metal silicate solution to a pH of from 1 to 4 to form an acid sol, alkalizing the acid sol by addition of aqueous alkali metal silicate solution to obtain an intermediate sol and interrupt the addition of aqueous alkali metal silicate solution when the intermediate sol has reached a pH of from about 5 to about 8, stirring the intermediate sol for a time period of from about 10 to about 6000 seconds without addition of aqueous alkali metal silicate solution, alkalizing the intermediate sol by addition of aqueous alkali metal silicate solution to obtain a silica sol having a pH above about 10 and molar ratio of SiO2:M2O, in which M is alkali metal, of from about 6:1 to about 16:1, and optionally adding an aluminum compound to the acid sol, intermediate sol or silica sol. The invention further relates to a silica sol obtainable by the process of the invention. The invention further relates to the use of the silica sol as a flocculating agent, in water purification and in producing paper and board. The invention further relates to a process for producing paper and board which comprises: (i) providing an aqueous suspension comprising cellulosic fibers; (ii) adding to the suspension one or more drainage and retention aids comprising the silica sol; and (iii) dewatering the obtained suspension to provide a sheet or web of paper or board.
1. A silica sol having a pH above about 10, molar ratio of SiO 2 :M 2 O, in which M is alkali metal, of from about 6:1 to about 16:1, concentration of soluble silica above about 3000 mg SiO 2 /l, and S-value of from about 18 to about 40%.
2. The silica sol according to claim 1 , wherein the sol comprises Al.
3. The silica sol according to claim 1 , wherein the sol has a molar ratio of Si:Al of from about 25:1 to about 250:1.
4. The silica sol according to claim 1 , wherein the sol contains silica particles which are essentially free from aluminium.
5. The silica sol according to claim 1 , wherein the sol contains silica particles having a specific surface area of at least about 500 m 2 /g.
6. The silica sol according to claim 1 , wherein the sol has a silica content of from about 3 to about 20% by weight.
7. The silica sol according to claim 1 , wherein the sol has a pH of from about 10.5 to about 11.5.
8. The silica sol according to claim 1 , wherein the sol has an S-value of at least 20%.
9. The silica sol according to claim 1 , wherein the sol has a molar ratio of SiO 2 :M 2 O, in which M is alkali metal, of from about 8:1 to about 15:1.
10. The silica sol according to claim 1 , wherein the sol has a concentration of soluble silica of at least about 3500 mg SiO 2 /l.
11. The silica sol according to claim 1 , wherein the sol has a conductivity of at least about 4.0 mS/cm.