An ink-jet recording material having a support and at least one ink-receiving layer, the ink-receiving layer comprising at least one binder and a cationized fumed silica prepared by copolymerizing at least one cationic monomer and at least one non-cationic monomer monomer in the presence of a fumed silica. A cationized fumed silica prepared by polymerizing the monomers in the presence of a fumed silica and a method of preparing an ink-jet recording material are also disclosed.