| abstract |
A composition comprises surface-modified nanoparticles of at least one amphoteric metal oxide or oxyhydroxide. The nanoparticles bear, on at least a portion of their surfaces, a surface modification comprising (i) at least one surface modifier selected from lactate, thiolactate, and mixtures thereof, and (ii) at least one surface modifier selected from halide, nitrate, acetate, carbonate, formate, propionate, sulfate, bromate, perchlorate, tribromoacetate, trichloroacetate, trifluoroacetate, carboxylate comprising from one to about four alkyleneoxy moieties, chlorate, and mixtures thereof. |