A valve metal powder having a particle shape factor mean value f, as determined by SEM image analysis, of 0.65f1, said powder has an average agglomerate particle size D50 value, as determined with a MasterSizer in accordance with ASTM B 822, of 40 to 200 m and wherein the valve metal powder is niobium.

A process for preparing intermetallic nanoparticles of two or more metals is provided. In particular, the process includes the steps: a) dispersing nanoparticles of a first metal in a solvent to prepare a first metal solution, b) forming a reaction mixture with the first metal solution and a reducing agent, c) heating the reaction mixture to a reaction temperature; and d) adding a second metal solution containing a salt of a second metal to the reaction mixture. During this process, intermetallic nanoparticles, which contain a compound with the first and second metals are formed. The intermetallic nanoparticles with uniform size and a narrow size distribution is also provided. An electrochemical device such as a battery with the intermetallic nanoparticles is also provided.

Provided is a non-oriented electrical steel sheet having excellent adhesion with an insulating coating even if the thickness of the insulating coating is reduced. The non-oriented electrical steel sheet of the present disclosure has an insulating coating on at least one surface of the steel sheet, where the insulating coating has a P-concentrated layer on both a surface side and an interface side with a steel substrate, and a P concentration of the P-concentrated layer is higher than a P concentration in the steel substrate.