A nanoparticle cluster reduction method yields a new composition of matter including a large percentage (e.g., 75% or higher percentage) of primary nanoparticles in the new composition of matter. The particle reduction method reduces the size of nanoparticle clusters in material of the new composition of matter, allows particle reduction of specific nanoparticle cluster sizes, and allows particle reduction to primary nanoparticles. This new composition of matter can include a high permittivity and high resistivity dielectric compound. This new composition of matter, according to certain examples, has high permittivity, high resistivity, and low leakage current. In certain examples, the new composition of matter constitutes a dielectric energy storage device that is a battery with very high energy density, high operating voltage per cell, and an extended battery life cycle. An example method can include a controlled gas evolution reaction to reduce the size of nanoparticle clusters.

The invention relates to a lead-free piezoceramic material based on bismuth sodium titanate (BST) having the following parent composition: x(Bi.sub.0.5Na.sub.0.5)TiO.sub.3-yBaTiO.sub.3-zSrTiO.sub.3 where x+y+z=1 and 0<x<1, 0<y<1, 0≤z≤0.07 or x(Bi.sub.0.5Na.sub.0.5)TiO.sub.3-yBaTiO.sub.3-zCaTiO.sub.3 where x+y+z=1 and 0<x<1, 0<y<1, 0<z≤0.05 or x(Bi.sub.0.5Na.sub.0.5)TiO.sub.3-y(Bi.sub.0.5K.sub.0.5)TiO.sub.3-zBaTiO.sub.3 where x+y+z=1 and 0<x<1, 0<y<1, 0≤z<1, characterized by addition of a phosphorus-containing material in a quantity that gives a phosphorus concentration of from 100 to 2000 ppm in the piezoceramic material.

The invention relates to a lead-free piezoceramic material based on bismuth sodium titanate (BST) having the following parent composition: x(Bi.sub.0.5Na.sub.0.5)TiO.sub.3-yBaTiO.sub.3-zSrTiO.sub.3 where x+y+z=1 and 0<x<1, 0<y<1, 0≤z≤0.07 or x(Bi.sub.0.5Na.sub.0.5)TiO.sub.3-yBaTiO.sub.3-zCaTiO.sub.3 where x+y+z=1 and 0<x<1, 0<y<1, 0<z≤0.05 or x(Bi.sub.0.5Na.sub.0.5)TiO.sub.3-y(Bi.sub.0.5K.sub.0.5)TiO.sub.3-zBaTiO.sub.3 where x+y+z=1 and 0<x<1, 0<y<1, 0≤z<1, characterized by addition of a phosphorus-containing material in a quantity that gives a phosphorus concentration of from 100 to 2000 ppm in the piezoceramic material.

This document describes processes for preparing ceramics, especially lithium-based ceramics. The ceramics produced by this process and their use in electrochemical applications are also described as well as electrode materials, electrodes, electrolyte compositions, and electrochemical cells comprising them.

A method for manufacturing a dense layer that includes: supplying a substrate and a suspension of non-agglomerated nanoparticles of a material P; depositing a layer on the substrate using the suspension; drying the layer thus obtained; and densifying the dried layer by mechanical compression and/or heat treatment. The method is characterised in that the suspension of non-agglomerated nanoparticles of material P includes nanoparticles of material P having a size distribution having a value of D50. The distribution includes nanoparticles of material P of a first size D1 between 20 nm and 50 nm, and nanoparticles of material P of a second size D2 characterised by the value D50 being at least five times less than that of D1, or the distribution has a mean size of nanoparticles of material P less than 50 nm, and a standard deviation to mean size ratio greater than 0.6.

Provided is a piezoelectric ceramics including crystal grains each including: a first region that is formed of a perovskite-type metal oxide having a crystal structure in which a central element of a unit cell is located at an asymmetrical position; and a second region that is formed of a perovskite-type metal oxide having a crystal structure in which a central element of a unit cell is located at a symmetrical position, and that is present inside the first region, wherein a ratio of a cross-sectional area of the second region to a cross-sectional area of the piezoelectric ceramics is 0.1% or less.

Disclosed herein are methods for preparing a titanate compound powder comprising titanate compound particles having a controlled particle size and/or particle size distribution. The methods include mixing at least one first inorganic compound chosen from sources of a first metal or metal oxide, at least one second inorganic compound chosen from sources of titania, and at least one binder to form a mixture; calcining the mixture to form a polycrystalline material comprising a plurality of titanate compound grains and a plurality of micro-cracks; and breaking the polycrystalline material along at least a portion of the microcracks. Also disclosed are titanate compound powders having a controlled particle size distribution, ceramic batch compositions comprising the powders, and ceramic articles prepared from the batch compositions.

A solid ionic conducting material for use in an electrochemical device comprises an oxyhydroxide or hydrated oxide derived from of an oxide with a perovskite, Brownmillerite, layered oxide, and/or K.sub.4CdCl.sub.6 structure, the elemental composition of the initial oxide being selected to provide suitable conduction properties for the derived anhydrous or hydrated oxyhydroxide or hydrated oxide. A method of making such a solid ionic conducting material, including treatment with water, and an electrochemical device incorporating such a solid ionic conducting material (optionally as an electrolyte) are also disclosed.

A composite article comprises a substrate, the substrate comprising a silicon containing material and an additive comprising boron nitride nanotubes.

A ferroelectric perovskite composition, comprising a perovskite oxide ABO.sub.3, and a doping agent selected from perovskites of Ba(Ni,Nb)O.sub.3 and Ba(Ni,Nb)O.sub.3-δ. The ferroelectric perovskite composition may be represented by the formula: xBa(Ni,Nb)O.sub.3.(1-x)ABO.sub.3 or xBa(Ni,Nb)O.sub.3-δ.(1-x)ABO.sub.3. A method of producing the ferroelectric perovskite composition in thin film form is also provided.