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 providing an image on or in a substrate is provided, and comprises applying to the substrate: (i) ammonium octamolybdate (AOM) in the form of the alpha-isomer, obtainable by thermal decomposition of ammonium molybdate at 215-225° C. for 180 mins, and which has an anhydrous loss on ignition in the range 8.00 to 8.80; or (ii) a composition comprising ammonium octamolybdate as defined in (i), and a binder; followed by irradiation. Also provided are liquid ink compositions comprising AOM as defined above, and a binder.

The invention provides a method for reducing impurities from roasted molybdenum concentrate (RMC), comprising: performing a first treatment in a first reactor, on a portion of the RMC forming a first treated suspension, the first treatment comprises adding the portion of the RMC to a water-solution, wherein the first treated suspension has a temperature from 10° C. to 100° C. and a first pH value of from 2.1 to 5.0; performing a second treatment in a second reactor on a portion of the first treated suspension, the second treatment comprises adding the portion of the first treated suspension to an acid solution to form the second treated suspension, wherein the portion of the first treated suspension has a temperature <70° C., and wherein the second treated suspension has a second pH value between 1.5 and the first pH value; and separating a portion of the second treated suspension from the reactors.

The invention provides a method for reducing impurities from roasted molybdenum concentrate (RMC), comprising: performing a first treatment in a first reactor, on a portion of the RMC forming a first treated suspension, the first treatment comprises adding the portion of the RMC to a water-solution, wherein the first treated suspension has a temperature from 10° C. to 100° C. and a first pH value of from 2.1 to 5.0; performing a second treatment in a second reactor on a portion of the first treated suspension, the second treatment comprises adding the portion of the first treated suspension to an acid solution to form the second treated suspension, wherein the portion of the first treated suspension has a temperature <70° C., and wherein the second treated suspension has a second pH value between 1.5 and the first pH value; and separating a portion of the second treated suspension from the reactors.

Provided is a molybdenum oxychloride characterized in having a purity of 99.9995 wt % or higher. Additionally provided is a manufacturing method of a molybdenum oxychloride including the steps of reacting MoO.sub.3 and Cl.sub.2 and synthesizing the molybdenum oxychloride in a reaction chamber, and cooling the synthesized molybdenum oxychloride gas and precipitating the molybdenum oxychloride in a recovery chamber, wherein an impurity trap is provided between the reaction chamber and the recovery chamber, and impurities are removed with the impurity trap. An object of the present invention is to provide a high-purity molybdenum oxychloride and a manufacturing method therefor.

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.

A lanthanum molybdenum composite oxide is provided. The lanthanum molybdenum composite oxide has a primary crystal phase formed of La.sub.2Mo.sub.2O.sub.9. The lanthanum molybdenum composite oxide also has a secondary crystal phase formed of a lanthanum molybdenum composite oxide species other than La.sub.2Mo.sub.2O.sub.9. The secondary crystal phase may contain at least one species selected from a group consisting of La.sub.2Mo.sub.3O.sub.12, La.sub.6MoO.sub.12, La.sub.7Mo.sub.7O.sub.30, La.sub.2Mo.sub.4O.sub.15, La.sub.2MoO.sub.6, La.sub.4MoO.sub.9, and LaMo.sub.2O.sub.5.

The invention relates to active electrode materials and to methods for the manufacture of active electrode materials. Such materials are of interest as active electrode materials in lithium-ion or sodium-ion batteries. The invention provides an active electrode material expressed by the general formula [M][Nb].sub.y[O].sub.z; wherein the active electrode material is oxygen deficient; wherein M consists of one of Mg, Cr, W, Mo, Cu, Ga, Ge, Ca, K, Ni, Co, Al, Sn, Mn, Ce, Sb, Y, La, Hf, Ta, Zn, In, or Cd; y satisfies 0.5≤y≤49; and z satisfies 4≤z≤124.

The invention relates to active electrode materials and to methods for the manufacture of active electrode materials. Such materials are of interest as active electrode materials in lithium-ion or sodium-ion batteries. The invention provides an active electrode material expressed by the general formula [M1].sub.x[M2].sub.(1−x)[Nb]y[O].sub.z, wherein: M1 and M2 are different; M1 represents one or more of Ti, Mg, V, Cr, W, Zr, Mo, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ge, Ca, K, Ni, Co, Al, Sn, Mn, Ce, Te, Se, Si, Sb, Y, La, Hf, Ta, Re, Zn, In, or Cd; M2 represents one or more of Mg, V, Cr, W, Zr, Mo, Cu, Ga, Ge, Ca, K, Ni, Co, Al, Sn, Mn, Ce, Sb, Y, La, Hf, Ta, Zn, In, or Cd; and wherein x satisfies 0<x<0.5; y satisfies 0.5≤y≤49 z satisfies 4≤z≤124.

Provided are alumina particles containing molybdenum and with their shape controlled. The alumina particles contain phosphorus and molybdenum. The alumina particles are preferably plate-like or card house-like. The phosphorus is preferably unevenly distributed in surface layers of the alumina particles. Also provided are a resin composition containing the alumina particles and a resin, a molded body made by molding the resin composition, and a method for producing the alumina particle including a step of firing the aluminum compound in the presence of a molybdenum compound and a phosphorous compound.