Disclosed is a method of decontamination by exposing a zirconium oxy(hydroxide) aerogel to a liquid, vapor, or gaseous sample suspected of containing a phosphonate compound. The aerogel may be doped with Fe.sup.3+ ions, Ce.sup.3+ ions, or SO.sub.4.sup.2− ions. The aerogel may be made by: providing a solution of ZrCl.sub.4; FeCl.sub.3, CeCl.sub.3, or Zr(SO.sub.4).sub.2; and a solvent; adding a cyclic ether to the solution to form a gel; infiltrating the gel with liquid carbon dioxide; applying a temperature and pressure to form supercritical fluid carbon dioxide; and removing the carbon dioxide for form an aerogel.

Disclosed is a method of decontamination by exposing a zirconium oxy(hydroxide) aerogel to a liquid, vapor, or gaseous sample suspected of containing a phosphonate compound. The aerogel may be doped with Fe.sup.3+ ions, Ce.sup.3+ ions, or SO.sub.4.sup.2− ions. The aerogel may be made by: providing a solution of ZrCl.sub.4; FeCl.sub.3, CeCl.sub.3, or Zr(SO.sub.4).sub.2; and a solvent; adding a cyclic ether to the solution to form a gel; infiltrating the gel with liquid carbon dioxide; applying a temperature and pressure to form supercritical fluid carbon dioxide; and removing the carbon dioxide for form an aerogel.

A dense β″-alumina/zirconia composite solid electrolyte and process for fabrication are disclosed. The process allows fabrication at temperatures at or below 1600° C. The solid electrolytes include a dense composite matrix of β″-alumina and zirconia, and one or more transition metal oxides that aid the conversion and densification of precursor salts during sintering. The composite solid electrolytes find application in sodium energy storage devices and power-grid systems and devices for energy applications.

A dense β″-alumina/zirconia composite solid electrolyte and process for fabrication are disclosed. The process allows fabrication at temperatures at or below 1600° C. The solid electrolytes include a dense composite matrix of β″-alumina and zirconia, and one or more transition metal oxides that aid the conversion and densification of precursor salts during sintering. The composite solid electrolytes find application in sodium energy storage devices and power-grid systems and devices for energy applications.

Set forth herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also set forth herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Disclosed herein are novel and inventive methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin (<50 um) free standing membranes of an ionically conducting material for use as a catholyte, electrolyte, and, or, anolyte, in an electrochemical device, a battery component (positive or negative electrode materials), or a complete solid state electrochemical energy storage device. Also, the methods set forth herein disclose novel sintering techniques, e.g., for heating and/or field assisted (FAST) sintering, for solid state energy storage devices and the components thereof.

To provide a lithium ion conductive crystal body having a high density and a large length and an all-solid state lithium ion secondary battery containing the lithium ion conductive crystal body. A Li.sub.5La.sub.3Ta.sub.2O.sub.12 crystal body, which is one example of the lithium ion conductive crystal body, has a relative density of 99% or more, belongs to a cubic system, has a garnet-related type structure, and has a length of 2 cm or more. The Li.sub.5La.sub.3Ta.sub.2O.sub.12 crystal body is grown by a melting method employing a Li.sub.5La.sub.3Ta.sub.2O.sub.12 polycrystal body as a raw material. With the growing method, a Li.sub.5La.sub.3Ta.sub.2O.sub.12 crystal body having a relative density of 100% can also be obtained. In addition, the all-solid state lithium ion secondary battery has a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a solid electrolyte, in which the solid electrolyte contains the lithium ion conductive crystal body.

To provide a lithium ion conductive crystal body having a high density and a large length and an all-solid state lithium ion secondary battery containing the lithium ion conductive crystal body. A Li.sub.5La.sub.3Ta.sub.2O.sub.12 crystal body, which is one example of the lithium ion conductive crystal body, has a relative density of 99% or more, belongs to a cubic system, has a garnet-related type structure, and has a length of 2 cm or more. The Li.sub.5La.sub.3Ta.sub.2O.sub.12 crystal body is grown by a melting method employing a Li.sub.5La.sub.3Ta.sub.2O.sub.12 polycrystal body as a raw material. With the growing method, a Li.sub.5La.sub.3Ta.sub.2O.sub.12 crystal body having a relative density of 100% can also be obtained. In addition, the all-solid state lithium ion secondary battery has a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a solid electrolyte, in which the solid electrolyte contains the lithium ion conductive crystal body.

Set forth herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also set forth herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Disclosed herein are novel and inventive methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin (<50 um) free standing membranes of an ionically conducting material for use as a catholyte, electrolyte, and, or, anolyte, in an electrochemical device, a battery component (positive or negative electrode materials), or a complete solid state electrochemical energy storage device. Also, the methods set forth herein disclose novel sintering techniques, e.g., for heating and/or field assisted (FAST) sintering, for solid state energy storage devices and the components thereof.

Methods for purifying .sup.89Zr are provided, .sup.89Zr compositions are provided, isotope compositions are provided that can include: a radio isotope and a nanoparticle, and methods for radio labeling monoclonal antibodies are provided.

Set forth herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also set forth herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Disclosed herein are novel and inventive methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin (<50 um) free standing membranes of an ionically conducting material for use as a catholyte, electrolyte, and, or, anolyte, in an electrochemical device, a battery component (positive or negative electrode materials), or a complete solid state electrochemical energy storage device. Also, the methods set forth herein disclose novel sintering techniques, e.g., for heating and/or field assisted (FAST) sintering, for solid state energy storage devices and the components thereof.