Silica-based structurants and processes for making thereof

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a silica-based structurant and methods of making such a structurant. According to one embodiment, the structurant may include 55 wt % to 90 wt % of a silica having a [Na2O]/[SiO2] molar ratio of from 0.02 to 0.14 and at least 15 wt % of an adjunct salt. The structurant may have a hydrated particle size distribution such that no more than 30 wt % of the structurant has a hydrated particle size greater than 45 micrometers according to the Structurant Residue Test. The structurant may also have a tapped bulk density of from 200 g/L to 300 g/L. Methods of making the structurant include combining starting materials with a non-stoichiometric amount of acid, then drying the reaction mixture without first washing any silica-based particles to produce a silica-based structurant with adjunct salt.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.