The process of reacting nanoscale ce-MoS.sub.2 nanosheets anchored on oxide support with lead in solution at room temperature whereby the reaction is rapid and spontaneous resulting in the formation of PbMoO.sub.4-xS.sub.x in the process of scavenging Pb.sup.2+ and Pb.sup.4+ present in the solution.

The process of reacting nanoscale ce-MoS.sub.2 nanosheets anchored on oxide support with lead in solution at room temperature whereby the reaction is rapid and spontaneous resulting in the formation of PbMoO.sub.4-xS.sub.x in the process of scavenging Pb.sup.2+ and Pb.sup.4+ present in the solution.

The invention relates to Chevrel-phase materials and methods of preparing these materials utilizing a precursor approach. The Chevrel-phase materials are useful in assembling electrodes, e.g., cathodes, for use in electrochemical cells, such as rechargeable batteries. The Chevrel-phase materials have a general formula of Mo.sub.6Z.sub.8 (Z=sulfur) or Mo.sub.6Z.sup.1.sub.8-yZ.sup.2.sub.y (Z.sup.1=sulfur; Z.sup.2=selenium), and partially cuprated Cu.sub.1Mo.sub.6S.sub.8 as well as partially de-cuprated Cu.sub.1-xMg.sub.xMo.sub.6S.sub.8 and the precursors have a general formula of M.sub.xMo.sub.6Z.sub.8 or M.sub.xMo.sub.6Z.sup.1.sub.8-yZ.sup.2.sub.y, M=Cu. The cathode containing the Chevrel-phase material in accordance with the invention can be combined with a magnesium-containing anode and an electrolyte.

A method for crystallization of β-ammonium tetramolybdate includes: performing a stepwise pH-adjusting treatment of an ammonium molybdate solution via zoning to obtain the β-ammonium tetramolybdate. When feeding the ammonium molybdate solution into a reaction system from a first zone and then into second to sixth zones successively, pH.sup.1 of a resultant solution in the first zone is 7.0-6.0; pH.sup.2 of a resultant solution in the second zone is less than 6 and greater than or equal to 4; pH.sup.3 of a resultant solution in the third zone is less than 4 and greater than or equal to 2.5; pH.sup.4 of a crystallized slurry in the fourth zone is less than 2.5 and greater than or equal to 1; pH.sup.5 of a crystallized slurry in the fifth zone is 2.5-4.0; and pH.sup.6 of a crystallized slurry in the sixth zone is less than 2.5 and greater than or equal to 2.0.

Provided are novel transition metal dichalcogenides having a platelet structure and comprising a 2H phase region and/or a 3R phase region. The platelets exhibit a narrow size distribution and comparatively high surface area and edge area, which characteristics render the platelets especially suitable for catalysis applications, as well as use in electronic devices. Also provided are methods of synthesizing the disclosed transition metal dichalcogenide platelets.

Provided are novel transition metal dichalcogenides having a platelet structure and comprising a 2H phase region and/or a 3R phase region. The platelets exhibit a narrow size distribution and comparatively high surface area and edge area, which characteristics render the platelets especially suitable for catalysis applications, as well as use in electronic devices. Also provided are methods of synthesizing the disclosed transition metal dichalcogenide platelets.

Processes for producing ammonium octamolybdate/metal hydroxide complexes include the steps of pre-contacting ammonium dimolybdate and a metal hydroxide, and then contacting molybdenum trioxide, to form the ammonium octamolybdate/metal hydroxide complexes. The resulting complexes contain the metal hydroxide and from 1 to 95 wt. % of ammonium octamolybdate, and generally, at least 80 wt. % of the ammonium octamolybdate in the complex is present in an orthorhombic crystalline form. These ammonium octamolybdate/metal hydroxide complexes can be used as smoke suppressants in polymer compositions, such as PVC-based and epoxy-based formulations.

The invention relates to a process for obtaining a formate from a reaction mixture (10) in which a polyoxometallate ion, which acts as a catalyst, is in contact with an organic material at a temperature below 120° C. to produce formic acid in an aqueous solution, with the following steps. a) separating a mixture of formic acid and water from the reaction mixture by reverse osmosis and/or as vapor (18), the vapor (18) subsequently being condensed, and b) reacting the formic acid with a hydroxide (24) in aqueous solution to produce a solution of a formate.

Disclosed are an electrode active material for lithium secondary batteries, comprising at least one selected from compounds represented by the following formula 1, and a lithium secondary battery comprising the same.
Li.sub.xMo.sub.4−yM.sub.yO.sub.6−zA.sub.z  (1) wherein 0≦x≦2, 0≦y≦0.5, 0≦z≦0.5, M is a metal or transition metal cation having an oxidation number of +2 to +4, and A is a negative monovalent or negative bivalent anion.

Disclosed are an electrode active material for lithium secondary batteries, comprising at least one selected from compounds represented by the following formula 1, and a lithium secondary battery comprising the same.
Li.sub.xMo.sub.4−yM.sub.yO.sub.6−zA.sub.z  (1) wherein 0≦x≦2, 0≦y≦0.5, 0≦z≦0.5, M is a metal or transition metal cation having an oxidation number of +2 to +4, and A is a negative monovalent or negative bivalent anion.