Process for producing xerogel of silicic acid with high volume of pores

Abstract

The product of this invention can be applied as a column packing for high performance liquid chromatography. This material is further useful as a catalyst carrier, as a sorbent for selective concentrating diluted compounds for analytical purposes, and for immobilizing enzymes and the like. The invention discloses a process for producing silicic acid xerogel matrix with a volume of pores up to 4.0 cm.sup.3 g.sup.-1 or even more, which process consists in that the starting soft and elastic silica hydrogel is subjected to combined effect of successive hardening in concentrated solutions of strong inorganic or organic acids, such as, for example, sulphuric acid, hydrochloric, phosphoric, nitric or trichloroacetic acids at ambient or elevated temperatures followed by acting in water-miscible solvents, such as, for example, in alcohols or ketones, and finally, by acting in water-immiscible solvents, such as, for example, in benzene, toluene, C.sub.5 to C.sub.12 hydrocarbons or carbon tetrachloride.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.