A positive-electrode active material contains a compound represented by the following composition formula (1):
Li.sub.xMe.sub.yA.sub.zO.sub.αF.sub.β  (1) where Me denotes one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Mn, Co, Ni, Fe, Al, Cu, Nb, Mo, Ti, Cr, Zr, Zn, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Pt, Au, Ru, and W, A denotes one or more elements selected from the group consisting of B, Si, and P, and the following conditions: 1.3≤x≤2.1, 0.8≤y≤1.3, 0<z≤0.2, 1.8≤α≤2.9, and 0.1≤β≤1.2 are satisfied. A crystal structure of the compound belongs to a space group Fm-3m.

A positive-electrode active material contains a compound represented by the following composition formula (1):
Li.sub.xMe.sub.yA.sub.zO.sub.αF.sub.β  (1) where Me denotes one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Mn, Co, Ni, Fe, Al, Cu, Nb, Mo, Ti, Cr, Zr, Zn, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Pt, Au, Ru, and W, A denotes one or more elements selected from the group consisting of B, Si, and P, and the following conditions: 1.3≤x≤2.1, 0.8≤y≤1.3, 0<z≤0.2, 1.8≤α≤2.9, and 0.1≤β≤1.2 are satisfied. A crystal structure of the compound belongs to a space group Fm-3m.

Disclosed are novel organoborane compositions of Formula (I), (II) or (III),

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R′, R″, n, n′, n″, m, m′, and m″ are defined hereinabove. Also disclosed is a method of using said compositions for electrolytic media in lithium rechargeable batteries, including lithium-ion or lithium-air rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed are compositions containing said Formula (I), (II) and (III) compounds with lithium salts, useful as electrolytic media or matrices.

A method for producing a metal boride powder includes producing a bonding gas stream from a first powder in a first fluidizing bed reactor, delivering the bonding gas stream to a second fluidized bed reactor through a conduit fluidly connecting the first and second fluidized bed reactors, fluidizing a second powder in the second fluidized bed reactor, mixing the second powder with the bonding gas stream such that a metal boride or boron-doped powder is formed.

Disclosed are novel organoborane compositions of Formula (I), (II) or (III), ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R′, R″, n, n′, n″, m, m′, and m″ are defined hereinabove. Also disclosed is a method of using said compositions for electrolytic media in lithium rechargeable batteries, including lithium-ion or lithium-air rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed are compositions containing said Formula (I), (II) and (III) compounds with lithium salts, useful as electrolytic media or matrices.

Methods for synthesizing macroscale 3D heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials (such as boron doped carbon nanotube materials) and compositions thereof. Macroscopic quantities of three-dimensionally networked heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials are directly grown using an aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition method. The porous heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube material is created by doping of heteroatoms (such as boron) in the nanotube lattice during growth, which influences the creation of elbow joints and branching of nanotubes leading to the three dimensional super-structure. The super-hydrophobic heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube sponge is strongly oleophilic and can soak up large quantities of organic solvents and oil. The trapped oil can be burnt off and the heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube material can be used repeatedly as an oil removal scaffold. Optionally, the heteroatom-doped carbon nanotubes in the heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials can be welded to form one or more macroscale 3D carbon nanotubes.

Methods for synthesizing macroscale 3D heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials (such as boron doped carbon nanotube materials) and compositions thereof. Macroscopic quantities of three-dimensionally networked heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials are directly grown using an aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition method. The porous heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube material is created by doping of heteroatoms (such as boron) in the nanotube lattice during growth, which influences the creation of elbow joints and branching of nanotubes leading to the three dimensional super-structure. The super-hydrophobic heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube sponge is strongly oleophilic and can soak up large quantities of organic solvents and oil. The trapped oil can be burnt off and the heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube material can be used repeatedly as an oil removal scaffold. Optionally, the heteroatom-doped carbon nanotubes in the heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials can be welded to form one or more macroscale 3D carbon nanotubes.

Disclosed are novel organoborane compositions of Formula (I), (II) or (III),

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R, R, n, n, n, m, m, and m are defined hereinabove. Also disclosed is a method of using said compositions for electrolytic media in lithium rechargeable batteries, including lithium-ion or lithium-air rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed are compositions containing said Formula (I), (II) and (III) compounds with lithium salts, useful as electrolytic media or matrices.

Methods for synthesizing macroscale 3D heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials (such as boron doped carbon nanotube materials) and compositions thereof. Macroscopic quantities of three-dimensionally networked heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials are directly grown using an aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition method. The porous heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube material is created by doping of heteroatoms (such as boron) in the nanotube lattice during growth, which influences the creation of elbow joints and branching of nanotubes leading to the three dimensional super-structure. The super-hydrophobic heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube sponge is strongly oleophilic and can soak up large quantities of organic solvents and oil. The trapped oil can be burnt off and the heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube material can be used repeatedly as an oil removal scaffold. Optionally, the heteroatom-doped carbon nanotubes in the heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials can be welded to form one or more macroscale 3D carbon nanotubes.

Methods for synthesizing macroscale 3D heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials (such as boron doped carbon nanotube materials) and compositions thereof. Macroscopic quantities of three-dimensionally networked heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials are directly grown using an aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition method. The porous heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube material is created by doping of heteroatoms (such as boron) in the nanotube lattice during growth, which influences the creation of elbow joints and branching of nanotubes leading to the three dimensional super-structure. The super-hydrophobic heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube sponge is strongly oleophilic and can soak up large quantities of organic solvents and oil. The trapped oil can be burnt off and the heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube material can be used repeatedly as an oil removal scaffold. Optionally, the heteroatom-doped carbon nanotubes in the heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials can be welded to form one or more macroscale 3D carbon nanotubes.