Preparation of Precipitated Silicas Having Controlled Refractive Index

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to dentifrice compositions containing novel precipitated silicas and methods for their production, and to processes for producing synthetic precipitated silicas and silicates having new and improved physical and chemical properties.

2. Description of the Prior Art

As known in the art, finely divided amorphous precipitated silicic acid products and certain zeolitic type alumino silicates may be prepared by the acidulation of an aqueous silicate solution with an acid or a salt of the acid, such as aluminum sulfate. Such products are commercially available being sold e.g., under the trademarks "Zeo", "Zeolex" and "Arogen" by the J. M. Huber Corporation. Specific examples of these products as well as methods for their preparation are disclosed in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,739,073; 2,843,346 and 3,582,379.

While the nature or characteristics of the above discussed precipitated silicic acid (sometimes herein referred to as silicas) and silicates depend, in part, on the chemistry of the silicate solution (specifically the SiO.sub.2 /Na.sub.2 O ratio of the silicate) as well as the reaction conditions employed, (precipitating pH, etc.), prior to the present invention, such silicas were characterized by the following properties: high structure, high wet cake moisture content, high oil absorption, low valley abrasion, high surface area and low pack density. In this regard, and due in part to the properties such as high oil absorption, high surface area, etc., the silicas have been widely and successfully used as reinforcing materials in rubber, paints, in the manufacture of paper, as moisture conditioners and the like.

However, and generally speaking for the moment, the high wet cake moisture content is disadvantageous in that the drying and filtration rates are decreased thus increasing the overall cost in the production of the final product. For example, in the conventional production of silicic acid products as defined above, the wet cake moisture content of the product (following filtration of the precipitated reaction mass) is approximately 82%. This means that there can be recovered only 18 parts of dry silica from 100 parts of wet cake.

Further, and very importantly, the low abrasiveness and high refractive index of known silica and silicate pigments render them unsuitable for many uses. For example, it is well known that conventional synthetic precipitated silicas are unsuitable as polishing and abrasive agents in toothpaste compositions. See German Pat. No. 974,958, French Pat. No. 1,130,627, British Pat. No. 995,351, Swiss Pat. No. 280,671 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,250,680. In this regard, it is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,538,230 that known amorphous silicas such as precipitated silicas, pyrogenic silicas and aerogels are unsuitable for dentifrice use because they show substantially no cleaning ability on human teeth because of their initial small particle size and because of the ease in which they break down into small particle sizes which result in poor cleaning ability.

Further, and in more detail, conventional silicas and amorphous precipitated alumino silicates, such as "Zeolex" and "Arogen", cannot be used for a clear gel toothpaste because of their high refractive index (1.55) and because they lack the needed abrasive and polishing characteristics when added to the toothpaste base composition. Clear gel toothpaste contains a high percentage of abrasive and polishing agent in the toothpaste formula. The major function of the abrasive and polishing agent is to remove stains, food debris and bacterial plaque from the human tooth surface. Ideally, the polishing agent should provide a maximum cleaning action at acceptable abrasion levels and must be compatible at high loadings of 15% up to 50% with other toothpaste formula ingredients. Thus known silicas and alumino silicates are unsuitable for clear gel toothpastes, (such as the product sold under the Trademark "Close-Up" by Lever Brothers) because they cannot be added at high loadings of 15% and above in a typical toothpaste composition. Because of their high oil absorption, high sorption characteristics and high refractive index (1.55), known precipitated pigments thicken up the dentrifrice composition and impart undesirable opacity to the base paste resulting in an unacceptable product. In summary of the above, precipitated silicas and silicates cannot be used in conventional and clear gel dentifrice compositions because such products result in unacceptable toothpaste consistencies and do not possess the acceptable abrasive and polishing characteristics needed for use in dentifrice compositions.

In summary, the present invention relates to the production of synthetic precipitated silicas and silicates having new and improved physical and chemical characteristics and dentifrice compositions containing precipitated silicas and silicates. More particularly, the invention is directed to a new and unique process for producing precipitated silicas and silicates having low structure, low wet cake moisture content, high abrasion, low surface area, low oil absorption and high pack densities. Because of such properties, the improved silicas can be advantageously and effectively used as an abrasive and polishing agent in dentrifice compositions. In addition, the new products can be advantageously employed in further applications such as in the preparation of molecular sieves, as flatting and texturizing agents, as fillers and carriers and as viscosity control agents.

Stated broadly, the method of the invention embodies the concept and is based on the discovery that if the addition of the acid to the silicate solution is interrupted at the first appearance of the opalescence point (i.e., that point at which precipitation first begins) the resulting silicas possess the aforementioned unique combination of properties. Stated differently, the low structure silicas of the invention are prepared by acidulating the aqueous alkali metal silicate solution (i.e., sodium silicate) until precipitation just begins. At this point the reaction mass is aged for a suitable length of time generally on the order of from 15 to 20 minutes. After the aging period, the introduction of the acid is continued until the precipitated product is obtained. In accordance with a further method embodiment it has been found that the properties of the silica can be closely and accurately controlled if the acid and a portion of the alkali metal silicate are added simultaneously so that the reaction is carried out at an essentially constant pH. In accordance with a third and particularly advantageous method embodiment, the acidulating agent, such as sulfuric acid, is pre-mixed with an adduct such as aluminum (which is preferably added as water soluble salt thereof, as e.g., aluminum sulfate). In this regard, it has been found that the addition of the adduct, coupled with the aging of the reaction mass, substantially controls the refractive index of the resulting pigment while at the same time not affecting the significant increase in the abrasiveness.

As briefly noted above, the precipitated silicas produced in accordance with the invention results in materials of lower processing costs, better packaging characteristics and a unique balance of physical/chemical properties as compared to conventionally precipitated silicas.

It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to provide a novel process for producing precipitated silicas having improved physical and chemical properties.

Another and more particular object is to provide a unique process for producing synthetic amorphous precipitated siliceous products which have particular utility for use as abrasive and polishing agents in dentifrice compositions.

Yet another object is to provide a highly efficient and improved process for producing silicic acid products which exhibit lower wet cake moisture or higher percent solids and which have high valley abrasion and low oil absorption characteristics.

Yet still another object is to provide novel synthetic amorphous precipitated silicas which are useful as abrasion and gelling agents in clear toothpaste compositions and novel clear toothpaste compositions containing the precipitated silicas.

A further object is to provide a new process for producing precipitated amorphous silicas which have a unique balance of physical and chemical properties as compared to conventionally known precipitated silicas, said process further resulting in lower processing costs.

A still further object is to provide a process for producing low structure, low wet cake moisture, low surface area, low oil absorption, high valley abrasion and high pack density precipitated silicic acid products.

As briefly discussed above, when an acid is added to a solution of an alkali metal silicate, the resulting reaction medium remains clear until such point that a slight turbidity (called the opalescence point) appears. As the acid addition is continued, the silicic acid or silica starts precipitating until all of the silicate solution is precipitated. In conventionally known processes, the pH of the reaction mass is then adjusted to a range of from about 5.5 to 6.5 and the mass is filtered, washed and dried.

In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that if the acid addition is interrupted for a suitable period of time at the first appearance of opalescence, the resulting silica product possesses a unique combination of physical and chemical properties as well as improved processing advantages. More specifically and again as briefly noted above, the new silicic acid products produced in accordance with the invention exhibit lower wet cake moisture (or higher percent solids) thereby permitting increased drying and filtration rates. Further the new silicas have been found to have low structure, relatively low surface areas, low absorption, high pack densities and high valley abrasion. Because of these properties, the new pigments are particularly suitable and adapted for use as an abrasive and polishing agent in toothpaste compositions. Other properties include controlled particle size, better dispersion and improved wetting and viscosity characteristics.

At this point it may be noted that as used herein the term "structure" is intended to include, and is defined as, the ability of a silica or silicate material to hold water in its wet cake. When silicas or silicates such as the aforementioned conventional precipitated silicas, hold a high percentage of water. i.e., in the neighborhood of 70% to 85% they are known and referred to as high structure silicas. Materials holding less than 70%, and preferably in the neighborhood of from about 50% to 70% water in their wet cake, are referred to as low structure silicas.

Turning now to more specific details, in the practice of the invention a solution of the alkali metal silicate is first charged to a reactor and the solution is heated to a temperature in the range of from about 100.degree. F. to 200.degree. F., preferably on the order of from about 150.degree. F. to 175.degree. F. In general and except as otherwise expressly noted herein, the reaction temperatures and rates as well as the concentration of the reactants, i.e., the silicate solution and acid, are the same as in the above discussed known processes for producing precipitated silicic acid products. However, in the practice of the invention it has been found that particularly advantageous results are obtained if the concentration of the silicate solution is on the order of from about 1.0 to about 2.5 pounds/gallon. The acidulating agent or acid, e.g., sulfuric acid, is next charged to the reactor until the slight turbidity (i.e., the opalescent point) first occurs. At this time, the acid addition is stopped and the reaction is aged for a period of time on the order of from about 10 minutes to 1 hour. As to be discussed in more detail hereinafter, while the point or time at which the acidulation is discontinued is critical, it has been found that the aging period is generally dictated by process economics. For example, although the reaction mass must be aged for at least 10 minutes to obtain the aforementioned unique combination of properties, it has been found that aging for a period of longer than 2 hours does not, in fact, produce any particular advantage. Therefore from an economic standpoint, the aging period is preferably on the order of from about 10 to 15 minutes.

In accordance with one method embodiment of the invention it has been found that a more homogeneous product can be obtained when from about one-half to two-thirds of the total silicate is initially charged to the reactor, and the remaining silicate is added simultaneously with the acid in a manner such that the reaction is carried out at a substantially constant pH, preferably on the order of from about 8.5 to 10.5. After the silica has been precipitated, the pH of the resulting slurry is reduced to from about 5.5 to 7.0 by the addition of an excess of the acid.

In a further method embodiment, it has been found that the refractive index of the precipitated silica can be controlled by the addition of an adduct element (such as aluminum, magnesium and the like) which is especially advantageous in providing an abrasive or polishing agent for a clear translucent or transparent toothpaste composition. Thus in this embodiment, the acid is premixed with a solution of the adduct material i.e., aluminum (preferably in the form of a water soluble salt such as aluminum sulfate, etc.) and the acid metal salt mixture is then used for acidulating the aqueous alkali metal silicate until the precipitation just begins. In general, the more adduct material used, the higher is the resulting refraction index. Preferred ranges for addition of the adduct comprises about 0.2-3 wt. % of adduct based on the total product amount for use in clear gel toothpastes. Higher amounts, for example up to 10 wt. %, may be added for other applications. In general, in conducting the process, about 1-10 wt. % of adduct may be mixed with the acid to obtain products in this range.

As will be seen from the above discussion, the starting materials or reactants employed in the present invention include alkali metal silicates, an acid and a water soluble metal salt. As used herein, the term alkali metal silicates include all the common forms of alkali silicates as, for example, metasilicates, disilicates and water glass. Water soluble potassium silicates and sodium silicates are particularly advantageous. Because of their relatively low cost, sodium silicates are preferred. If employed, sodium silicates are effective in any composition in which the mole ratio of the SiO.sub.2 to Na.sub.2 O is from about 1 to 4. In this regard, commercially available sodium silicate solutions are more or less polymerized depending on their silica to sodium oxide (SiO.sub.2 /Na.sub.2 O) ratios. For example, sodium metasilicate solution (mole ratio unity) is known to be predominantly monomeric in character, while water glass (mole ratio 3.3) is both monomeric and polymeric in character. As the silica to sodium oxide mole ratio of sodium silicate increases, so does the polymer to monomer ratio of its silicate anions. While sodium silicates having an SiO.sub.2 /Na.sub.2 O mole ratio of from 1 to 4 may be employed, it has been found that particularly advantageous results are obtained if the SiO.sub.2 /Na.sub.2 O ratio is in the range of from about 2.0 to 2.7.

While the acidulating agent or acid is preferably a strong mineral acid, such as sulfuric acid, nitric acid and hydrochloric acid, it should be understood that other acids, including organic acids, as for example, acetic acid, formic, or carbonic acid can be employed. The adduct material, employed to control the refractive index of the precipitated product may comprise metals such as aluminum, magnesium, zinc and calcium. However, the adduct is preferably employed in the form of a water-soluble salt of the metal which should be compatible with the acid used for precipitation. For example, aluminum salts useful in the method of the invention are the water-soluble salts of aluminum and strong acids such as aluminum sulfate, aluminum chloride, aluminum nitrate, and ammonium alum. The amount of the adduct or metal employed may vary depending upon the particular refractive index required. As shown in the following examples an excess of the adduct, (e.g., A1.sub.2 (SO.sub.4).sub.3), will increase the refractive index to a level above that required for clear dentifrice compositions (i.e., 1.475). However, refractive indices above 1.475 may be particularly suitable for many applications and the gist of this method embodiment lies in the discovery that the use of the adduct serves to control this property. The acidulating agent or acid is preferably added as a dilute solution thereof. Preferred results are obtained if the acidic solution is from about 10 to 25% by weight acid based on the total weight of the solution. However, this may vary depending upon the particular acid employed, etc.

The invention will be further illustrated by the following examples.

30 gallons of a 1.24 lb./gal. sodium silicate solution (SiO.sub.2 to Na.sub.2 O molar ratio of 2.5 ) was added to the stirred reactor and the silicate solution was heated to 185.degree. F. Sulfuric acid of 11.2% concentration was added to the reactor at the rate of 0.81 gallons per minute until a pH of 10.0 .+-. 0.1 was reached. At this pH, the precipitation of silica micelles just started. The acid was shut off and the reaction medium was aged for ten minutes. After the aging period, both acid and silicate were added simultaneously at the rate of 0.84 and 1.0 gallons per minute, respectively. The silicate was turned off after thirty minutes, the acid addition was continued and the batch was finished off at pH 5.8, filtered, washed, dried and milled. The results of this and further examples are shown and summarized hereinbelow.

In this experiment, 35 gallons of 1.24 lb./gal. silicate of SiO.sub.2 to Na.sub.2 O molar ratio of 2.5 were added to the stirred reactor and the silicate solution was heated to 175.degree. F. Sulfuric acid of 11.4% concentration was added to the reactor at the rate of 0.84 gallons per minute until a pH of 10.1 .+-. 0.1 was reached. At this pH, the precipitation of silica micelles just started. The acid was shut off and the reaction medium was aged for fifteen minutes. The aging step is important to obtain a homogeneous product and for the silica micelles to reach an equilibrium condition. After the aging period, both acid and silicate were added simultaneously at the rate of 0.84 and 1.4 gallons per minute, respectively. Silicate was turned off after twenty-five minutes; acid addition was continued and the batch was finished off at pH 5.5 filtered, washed, dried and milled. In further tests it was found that a range of products can be made by introducing more than one aging step during the process and by maintaining the precipitation pH substantially constant and within the range of pH 7-10.

In this experiment, ten gallons of 1.24 lb./gal. sodium silicate of SiO.sub.2 to Na.sub.2 O molar ratio of 2.5 were added to a stirred reactor and the solution heated to 175.degree. F. Sulfuric acid of 11.4% concentration was added to the reactor at the rate of 0.12 gallons per minute until the silica just started precipitating. At that time the reaction pH was 10.1. The acid addition was stopped and the reaction medium was aged for fifteen minutes. After the aging period, the acid addition was resumed again until the reaction pH of 9.0 was achieved. At. this point the acid was stopped again for 15 minutes and the reaction medium was aged. After the aging period was over, silicate was only added to the reactor at the rate of 0.1 gallons per minute until pH of 10.1 was reached. Acid addition was resumed again and the batch was finished off at pH 5.7. The idea of aging at pH 9.0 was to have the silica particles grow to a bigger size and to obtain a final product with lower structure, lower surface area and higher pack density than the conventional silica.

In this example, five gallons of 1.24 lb./gal. sodium silicate of SiO.sub.2 to Na.sub.2 O molar ratio of 2.5 were added to the stirred reactor and the silicate was heated to 175.degree. F. Acid of 10.5% concentration was added to the silicate until a turbidity or faint precipitation appeared in the reactor. Acid was stopped at this point and the reaction medium was aged for twenty minutes. After the aging period, 5 gallons of silicate and 11.4% acid were added simultaneously at the rate of 0.20 to 0.12 gallons per minute, respectively, and the batch was finished off at pH 5.5, filtered, washed, dried and milled.

The procedure of Example 4 was repeated except that six gallons of silicate were added to the reactor and the remaining 4 gallons were added after the aging period along with the acid.

The procedure of Example 4 was repeated except that seven gallons of silicate were added to the reactor and the remaining three gallons were added simultaneously with acid after aging the reaction medium. The batch was processed similar to Example 4.

The procedure of Example 2 was repeated except that after the aging period, the precipitation pH was controlled at pH 9.9 .+-. 0.1. The batch was finished and processed similar to Example 2.

The procedure of Example 4 was repeated except that the finishing pH was brought down to 3.2. Lower finishing pH results in product of higher surface area.

In this Example, 71/2 gallons of 1.24 lb./gal. sodium silicate were added to the stirred reactor and heated to 175.degree. F. Acid of 11.4% concentration was added until the precipitation of silica particles just began. Acid was then stopped and the reaction medium was aged for fifteen minutes. After the aging period 71/2 gallons of silicate and 11.4% acid were added simultaneously at the rate of 0.3 GPM and 0.18 GPM (gallons per minute), respectively, and the batch was finished off at pH 5.6 and the batch was processed similar to Example 4 above.

A control batch of conventional precipitated silica was prepared by neutralizing 1.25 lb./gal. sodium silicate with 11.4% acid until the final pH of 5.5 was obtained. In the control batch no aging step was involved so that the properties of material produced via the new process could be compared with the control batch.

Data on precipitated silicas obtained in Examples 1 through 10 are summarized below:

From the above data, it is clear that the new process of the invention results in silicas of lower wet cake moisture, lower structure, lower oil absorption, lower surface area, higher pack density and higher valley abrasion than conventional precipitated silicas.

The new process leads to silicas of lower processing costs than regular precipitated silicas. For example, the average wet cake moisture of silicas via the new process is only 60% as opposed to 82% for regular silica (see control). This means there can be recovered 40 parts of dry silica from 100 parts of wet cake if the silica is produced via the new process. Regular processes result in recovery of about 18 parts of dry silica per 100 parts of wet cake. Thus, via the new process there can be recovered 22 parts or more of dry silica or an increase of (22/18) .times. 100 or 122%. The new process results in silicas of better drying and filtration rates and hence significantly lower processing costs than the precipitated silicas produced by the conventional process.

In a series of tests the general procedures of Examples 1-10 were repeated except that the precipitating pH and the period of aging were varied. The pH was varied in the range of from about 5.5 to 11.0. The aging period was varied from about 5 minutes to 1 hour. The results of these tests were substantially the same as that of Examples 1-10 except that it was found that products of predetermined properties and characteristics (i.e., a specific structure or wet cake moisture content) could be obtained by varying the above process conditions within the specified ranges. These tests also established that if the final batch pH was reduced to below about 5.0 an increase in the surface area was obtained. Thus, if it is desired that the final product have a low surface area then the pH of the final batch should be maintained above 5.0. Also these tests establish that aging for periods of less than about 8-10 minutes was generally ineffective to produce the low structures, etc. products of the invention.

The general procedure of Examples 1-11 were repeated except that nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid and formic acid were substituted for the sulfuric acid. The results were substantially the same as in Examples 1-11.

In a series of tests the general procedures of Examples 1-12 were repeated except that aqueous sodium silicates having mol ratios (SiO.sub.2 /Na.sub.2 O) in the range of from 1 to 4 were substituted for the 2.5 silicate of Examples 1-12. The results were substantially the same as above except that it was found that the wet cake moisture content was lower when the 2.5 silicate was employed. In addition, the surface area was found to be substantially lower when 2.5 mol ratio siliate was employed. In this regard, in a series of tests the wet cake moisture content and the surface area were compared for silicic acid products produced by prior known techniques (non-aged) and products produced in accordance with the present invention.

The following Examples serve to illustrate the third method embodiment of the invention, i.e., the addition of the adduct material to control the refractive index.

In this experiment 100 parts by volume of 11.4% sulfuric acid was pre-mixed with 3 parts of 1.38 lb./gal. aluminum sulfate. This acid-aluminum sulfate mixture was used to precipitate the alumino silicate of controlled refractive index. Thirty-five gallons of 1.24 lb./gal. silicate of SiO.sub.2 to Na.sub.2 O molar ratio of 2.6 were added to the stirred reactor and the silicate solution was heated to 175.degree. F. Mixed acid-aluminum sulfate solution was added to the reactor at the rate of 0.84 gallons per minute until reaction pH of 10.1 .+-. 0.1 was reached. At this pH, the precipitation of aluminum silicate micelles just started. The acid aluminum sulfate addition was discontinued and the reaction medium was aged for fifteen minutes. The aging or digestion step was found to be important to obtain a homogeneous product and for the alumino silicate micelles to reach an equilibrium condition. After the aging period, both acid-aluminum and silicate solutions were added simultaneously at the rate of 0.84 and 1.4 gallons per minute, respectively. Silicate addition was turned off after 25 minutes; mixed acid-aluminum sulfate addition was continued and the batch was finished off at pH 5.5, filtered, washed, dried and milled in the conventional manner. In a series of tests it was found that a range of products could be made by introducing more than one aging step during the process and by maintaining the precipitation pH substantially constant and within the range of about 7-10.

A control experiment was performed by using the precipitation procedure of Example 14, but without an aging step.

The procedure of Example 14 was repeated except the acid-aluminum sulfate ratio was varied by mixing 100 parts of 11.4% sulfuric acid with 11.4 parts of 1.38 pounds per gallon aluminum sulfate.

A control experiment was performed as per the procedure of Example 16, but without using the aging step.

Example 14 was repeated by using acid aluminum sulfate mixture of 100 parts of acid to five parts of aluminum sulfate.

A control experiment was performed as per the procedure of Example 18 but without using the aging step.

The procedure of Example 14 was repeated except that the acid and aluminum sulfate were premixed in the ratio of 100:7.0.

The procedure of Example 14 was repeated but only acid was added up to the aging step. After the aging period, acid, silicate and aluminum sulfate were added simultaneously to the reactor. Both the silicate and aluminum sulfate additions were discontinued after twenty-five minutes. Acid addition was continued until final pH of 5.5 was obtained. The batch was processed similar to Example 13.

The procedure of Example 21 was repeated except that sodium silicate contained 3% sodium sulfate. The effect of sodium sulfate was that the final product was more abrasive than the one produced in Example 20.

The procedure of Example 14 was repeated except that acid-aluminum sulfate were premixed in the ratio 100 to 2.5.

The following Table summarizes the data obtained in Examples 14-23. From the following it will be seen that silicate products of controlled refractive index and abrasiveness can be tailored by way of the process of this invention.

From the above data, it will be seen that the new process results in alumino silicates of lower structure, lower wet cake moisture, lower oil absorption and higher valley abrasion than the conventional precipitated alumino silicates. Note that the controls of Examples 15, 17 and 19 exhibit high oil absorption and low valley abrasions and hence cannot be used for clear gel toothpaste because they provide unacceptable abrasion characteristics and thicken up the toothpaste base even at low loadings of up to only 8%. In general, refractive indices of from about 1.445 to 1.475 are needed and required for clear gel cosmetic dentifrice use.

In a series of tests the general procedures of Examples 14-23 were repeated except that nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid and formic acid were substituted for the sulfuric acid. The results were substantially the same as in Examples 14-24.

In a series of further tests the procedures of Examples 14-24 were repeated except that the precipitating pH, the period of aging as well as the SiO.sub.2 /Na.sub.2 O mol ratio of the silicate were varied in the manner as shown in Examples 11-13. The results were substantially the same except with regard to those variables and results noted in Examples 11-13.

The general procedures of Examples 1-25 were repeated except that potassium silicate was substituted for the sodium silicate. The results were substantially the same as in Examples 1-25.

In this experiment the determination and variables associated with the first occurrence of the opalescence point as well as the importance of the "aging" at this point, were investigated. The study revealed that a critical step in producing an acceptable aged silica is the determination of the opalescence point. For a given batch, the appearance of the opalescence point depends on the following:

Silicate concentration

Silicate mol ratio

Sulfuric acid concentration

Sulfuric acid rate

The development work on aged silica was done by adding 11.4% sulfuric acid at the rate of 450 cc/min. to 10 gallons of 2.5 mol ratio silicate of 13.3% concentration. The opalescence point appeared at 21 minutes and 15 seconds of acid addition. When the same batch was prepared with silicate of mol ratio 2.68, the opalescence point appeared at 19 minutes and 30 seconds. The processing advantages of the invention were found to be directly related to the determination of the opalescence point. If the reaction medium is aged by stopping acid about 30 seconds after the appearance of opalescence point, then about 50% of the process advantages are lost. By aging the reaction medium 60 seconds after the opalescence point, 100% of the processing advantages are lost and the product has properties similar to those produced by prior known processes. If the reaction medium is aged after stopping acid about 30 seconds before the opalescence point then an unacceptable product that is slow filtering and which exhibits significant changes in properties is obtained. Thus, an acceptable product can be produced only by stopping the acid addition and aging the reaction medium as soon as the opalescence point appears.

In this regard a Bailey, high range bolometer, was hooked up to the silica reactor to detect the opalescence point. It was observed that such a sensing device can be used effectively in detecting the opalescence point. It is important that the bolometer chamber be free of air bubbles; otherwise, a false opalescence point will be registered.

The following Table is a summary of the results of this study.

From the above, it will be seen that the process of the instant invention results in a new product having a unique combination of physical and chemical properties. These include, e.g., low oil absorption, i.e., on the order of less than 125 cc/100 gm, wet cake moisture contents of less than 70%, surface areas of less than 100 m.sup.2 /g when the adduct material is not added and in the range of from about 100-300 when the latter is employed; pack densities of greater than 12 lbs./ft..sup.3 and valley abrasions of greater than 5 (mg. wire loss). Improved and very important processing advantages are also obtained.

While particular embodiments have been disclosed for illustrative purposes the invention is not intended to be limited thereto. For example, in the case of silica production for a special utility, the precipitating pH and the final slurry pH may be tailored accordingly. Also, and as should be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, no special equipment is required in the method herein described. In this regard, however, the reactor should be equipped with heating means, e.g., a steam jacket, in order to maintain the desired reaction temperature and should have adequate agitating means to produce a strong backflow on the body of the liquid and thus avoid zones of high concentration of the incoming reactants. It is desirable to bring the reactants together so as to produce an instantaneous reaction of all material being fed to the fullest extent reasonably possible, as such promotes uniformity of the resulting products. Storage vessels (for the reactants) connected to the reaction vessel through lines fitted with flow control means may also be provided. The reaction vessel may be equipped with an outlet line leading to a filter which may be of conventional design. As noted above, the filtered mass is washed and dried. Such steps may also be conducted in conventional equipment it being understood, of course, that same do not form a part of the present invention.

If the pigments of the invention are used in toothpaste compositions, the dentifrice (if in the form of a paste), may contain humectant materials and binders to give the dentifrice a smooth texture and good flowability. Glycerine, sorbitol, corn syrup, glucose and the like may be used as carriers. Examples of binders include gum tragacanth, sodium carboxy-methylcellulose and the like. The above materials as well as the specific formulation of the toothpaste are well known in the art and are disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,994,642 and 3,538,230 and numerous publications. In preparing dental formulations, the formulations of these patents may be used but subtituting the precipitated silicas of the present invention for the silica xerogels of these patents.

As indicated hereinabove, visually clear toothpastes of this type may contain from 15 up to 50 percent of the precipitated silica as a polishing agent or thickener based on the total weight of the toothpaste and from about 85 to 50 weight percent of the liquid phase. The liquid phase includes humectants, binders, flavoring agents, and other materials used in the toothpaste. The toothpaste may also contain sweetening agents, detergents, flavoring agents, materials containing fluorides, preservatives, coloring agents, thickening agents and other abrasives such as silica xerogel. For a visually clear or clear gel toothpaste, it should be understood that the refractive index of the liquid phase should be generally the same as the refractive index of the precipitated silica.

The most widely used humectants in toothpaste are glycerine and sorbitol. Propylene glycol is also used in small amounts and to a very limited extent. The primary function of humectant as part of the liquid phase is to retain moisture which provides good texture and maintains an attractive glossy appearance when the paste is exposed to air.

The binder employed therein is to prevent separation of the liquid and solid phases. The most conventionally used binders are the seaweed colloids and synthetic derivatives of cellulose, specifically Carrageenan and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. Others, such as gums, have been used. Combinations of these binders have also been employed.

Since the natural and synthetic water dispersions of organic binders are subjected to microbial or mold attack, a relatively small amount of one or more preservatives is added to the paste. Examples of preservatives used in the industry are the esters of parahydroxyl benzoates.

The function of detergents within the dental formulation is to provide greater cleansing action due to the lowering of the surface tension and the sudsing action in the mouth. Among detergents used are sodium N-lauryl sarcosinate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sulfoculaurate, sodium alkyl sulfoacetate, and sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate.

Since toothpaste flavoring probably represents the greatest single factor in consumer acceptance, great care has been employed in selecting balanced blends of different essential oils. These are rarely, if ever, used alone. Combinations of principal flavors are wintergreen, peppermint, and sassafras, and are used with secondary oils such as pimento, clove and anise.

Saccharin and sodium cyclamate are widely used to improve taste and enhance the flavor qualities of the toothpaste. The synthetic sweeteners may be used in combination to obtain optimum sweetness and absence of after-taste. Their desirable properties are obtained at very low concentrations and consequently they have negligible influence on the toothpaste consistency.

Since water is such a common element, it is important in obtaining stable toothpaste formulations to employ substantially pure water therein. It is common practice to demineralize the water that is employed.

The therapeutic agents within the dental creams are to prevent decay of the tooth and are commonly in the form of stannous fluorides and sodium fluoride material.

The following embodiments illustrate visually clear toothpaste formulations containing the precipitated silicas of this invention.

A dentifrice formulation according to the present invention was prepared by mixing the following ingredients.

From a thorough mixing of these ingredients, there resulted a good quality clear gel toothpaste having good transparency.

The formulation of Example 28 was repeated except that the precipitated silica was prepared as in Example 14. From this formulation there resulted a visually clear toothpaste with good transparency.

The following example is a formulation of a clear gel toothpaste using formulations taught by above-discussed U.S. Pat. No. 3,538,230 (Example 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 3,538,230) but substituting the precipitated silicas of the present invention for the silicas of that patent:

From this formulation there resulted a clear gel toothpaste of high transparency.

The formulation of Example 30 was repeated except that the precipitated silica component was prepared as in Example 16. The resulting toothpaste was visually clear with good transparency.

The invention has been described herein with reference to certain preferred embodiments. However, as obvious variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art, it is not to be considered as limited thereto.