Method for producing silica particles, silica particles produced by such method, compositions and uses of such silica particles

Method for the production of silica particles, said method comprising the steps of

• (a) hydrolyzing a silicon chloride in aqueous solution, thereby producing a gel comprising silicic acid and hydrogen chloride, wherein the silicon chloride is of the following formula (1′)
• RcSi(OH)dCl4-c-d (1′)
• with R being at each occurrence independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups having 1, 2, or 3 carbon atoms;
• and c being at each occurrence independently selected from the group consisting of 0, 1, 2, and 3;
• and d being at each occurrence independently selected from the group consisting of 0, 1, 2, and 3;
• provided that c+d≤3;
• (b) removing at least part of the hydrogen chloride from the gel to obtain a purified gel;
• (c) adjusting the pH of the purified gel to at least 9;
• and
• (d) then polycondensating silicic acid to form the silica particles.