Method and silicate composition for conditioning silica surfaces
US5578179A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 12, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 26, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 12, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2030/285
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Disclosed is a method for increasing the electro-osmotic flow rate available for a silica surface. In the method, there is provided an electrophoretic channel which is defined by one or more silica surfaces. The surface(s) are contacted with an alkaline aqueous solution containing a solubilized silicate-monovalent metal complex in an amount effective to increase the acidity of the silica surface(s), as evidenced by a reduction in the average bulk pKa of the surface(s). The achieved increase in acidity is greater than would be obtained using an otherwise identical solution lacking said silicate. In one preferred embodiment, the monovalent metal used in the solution is Li.sup.+, Na.sup.+, or K.sup.+. Also disclosed is a method for increasing the acidity of a silica surface, by contacting the surface with an alkaline aqueous solution of the type noted above.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.