PRODUCTION OF INORGANIC OXIDE PARTICLE

PURPOSE:To obtain inorganic oxide particles suitable for a carrier for gas chromatography, having uniform particle diameters and monodisperse properties by hydrolyzing a hydrolyzable organometallic compound in the presence of a silicone oil. CONSTITUTION:A hydrolyzable organometallic compound such as tetraethyl silicate or tetrapropyl titanate is prepared. The organometallic compound is hydrolyzed in the presence of a silicone oil such as dimethylsilicone oil or methylphenylsilicone oil in a hydrolyzing catalyst (e.g. butylamine) to produce inorganic oxide particles (e.g. silica particles). Methanol or ethanol is suitable as a solvent used in the reaction solution. Consequently, spherical inorganic oxide particles having particle diameters in the range of 0.05-10mum and a uniform particle size distribution with