Separators, electrochemical cells and methods are provided, to improve operation of cells such as metal-ion batteries and fuel cells. Separators comprise a porous, ionically conductive film including layered double hydroxide(s) (LDHs), which are functional ceramic additives, removing potentially harmful anions from the electrolyte by incorporating them into the LDH structure of positively-charged sheets with intermediary anions. For example, anions which are electrolyte decomposition products or cathode dissolution products may be absorbed into the LDH to prevent them from causing damage to the cell and shortening the cell's life. LDHs may be incorporated in the separator structure, coated thereupon or otherwise associated therewith. Additional benefits include dimensional stability during thermal excursions, fire retardancy and impurity scavenging.

Separators, electrochemical cells and methods are provided, to improve operation of cells such as metal-ion batteries and fuel cells. Separators comprise a porous, ionically conductive film including layered double hydroxide(s) (LDHs), which are functional ceramic additives, removing potentially harmful anions from the electrolyte by incorporating them into the LDH structure of positively-charged sheets with intermediary anions. For example, anions which are electrolyte decomposition products or cathode dissolution products may be absorbed into the LDH to prevent them from causing damage to the cell and shortening the cell's life. LDHs may be incorporated in the separator structure, coated thereupon or otherwise associated therewith. Additional benefits include dimensional stability during thermal excursions, fire retardancy and impurity scavenging.

Development of a novel process for preparation of synthetic hydrotalcite using three industrial wastes such as aluminum chloride waste-generated in any of reaction where anhydrous aluminum chloride is used as Leawis acid catalyst such as Freidel Craft reaction, bittern containing magnesium compounds generated in solar salt work using brines such as sea brine and subsoil brines containing magnesium, and ammonium carbonate solution generated in organic pigment industries such as producing copper pthalo cyanin green. The process involves preparation of aluminum precursor and removing metallic impurities present in Aluminum hydroxide prepared from aluminum chloride containing waste, preparation of magnesium precursor, mixing the precursors, hydrothermally treating the mixture and adding surface modifying agents followed by filtration and drying.

This invention is directed to regeneration of solutions comprising metal ions, and production of valuable hydroxide compounds. Specifically, the invention is related to regeneration of spent electrolyte solutions comprising metal ions (e.g. Al ions), such as electrolyte solutions used in metal/air batteries. The invention is further related to production of layered double hydroxides, and, optionally aluminum tri-hydroxide from aluminate.

Provided is a water-swelling layered double hydroxide characterized by having an organic sulfonic acid anion (A.sup.) between layers, and by being represented by the below mentioned general formula (1): Q.sub.ZR(OH).sub.2(Z+1)(A.sup.).sub.(1y)(X.sup.n).sub.y/n.mH.sub.2O . . . (1). Here, Q is a divalent metal, R is a trivalent metal, A.sup. is an organic sulfonic acid anion, m is a real number greater than 0, and z is in the range of 1.8z4.2. X.sup.n is the n-valent anion remaining without A.sup. substitution, n is 1 or 2, y represents the remaining portion of X.sup.n, and 0y<0.4.

The present invention relates to a process A process for modifying a layered double hydroxide (LDH), the process comprising, a. providing a material comprising a layered double hydroxide of formula: [M.sup.z+.sub.1-xM.sup.y+.sub.x(OH).sub.2].sup.q+(X.sup.n).sub.q/n.bH.sub.2O wherein M and M are metal cations, z is 1 or 2, x is 0.1 to 1, b is 0 to 5, y is 3 or 4, X is an anion, n is 1 to 3 and q is determined by x, y and z, b. optionally washing the material at least once with a mixture of water and a mixing solvent miscible with water, and c. washing the material obtained in step a or b at least once with at least one first solvent, the first solvent being miscible with water and having a solvent polarity P

A method for extracting and separating salt alkali from saline alkali soil and soil improvement is disclosed. A foundation pit, square convex edge and cylindrical partition are arranged on a saline alkali land. Nitric or phosphoric acid solution is added to obtain a saline alkali pool. A trench is set around, and/or, a cylinder is set in the center of saline alkali pool. The evaporating material is prepared from vermiculite, laid on plastic wrapping material, and/or added into the cylinder. The salt alkali is precipitated and enriched through natural evaporation. The evaporating material enriched with salt alkali is taken out to be dissolved, separated and washed to obtain saline alkali solution and vermiculite or evaporating material. The vermiculite material is returned for reuse, and the above process is repeated. Alkali solution and intercalation agent are added into saline alkali solution to react and crystallize to obtain functional materials.

A method for extracting and separating salt alkali from saline alkali soil and soil improvement is disclosed. A foundation pit, square convex edge and cylindrical partition are arranged on a saline alkali land. Nitric or phosphoric acid solution is added to obtain a saline alkali pool. A trench is set around, and/or, a cylinder is set in the center of saline alkali pool. The evaporating material is prepared from vermiculite, laid on plastic wrapping material, and/or added into the cylinder. The salt alkali is precipitated and enriched through natural evaporation. The evaporating material enriched with salt alkali is taken out to be dissolved, separated and washed to obtain saline alkali solution and vermiculite or evaporating material. The vermiculite material is returned for reuse, and the above process is repeated. Alkali solution and intercalation agent are added into saline alkali solution to react and crystallize to obtain functional materials.

The present invention provides a composite of a hydrotalcite compound and an amino acid in which the aspect ratio is high and it is possible to control colorability. The composite includes a hydrotalcite compound and an amino acid. The composite has an aspect ratio of 85 or more. The Y.I. value of the composite is 0-5. The Y.I. value indicates yellowness. The content of the amino acid in the composite is more than 0 mass % and equal to or less than 10.0 mass %. The content of the amino acid is the content with respect to the total mass of the composite.

The present invention provides a composite of a hydrotalcite compound and an amino acid in which the aspect ratio is high and it is possible to control colorability. The composite includes a hydrotalcite compound and an amino acid. The composite has an aspect ratio of 85 or more. The Y.I. value of the composite is 0-5. The Y.I. value indicates yellowness. The content of the amino acid in the composite is more than 0 mass % and equal to or less than 10.0 mass %. The content of the amino acid is the content with respect to the total mass of the composite.