The present invention relates to a method for the production of palladium(0) powder in which a palladium(0) starting powder is subjected to a thermal treatment in a furnace at a temperature of no more than 370° C. in a hydrogen gas atmosphere.

The present invention relates to a composite tantalum powder and a process for preparing the same, and to a capacitor anode prepared from the tantalum powder. The method for preparing a composite tantalum powder comprises the following steps of: 1) providing a tantalum powder prepared by a reduction process, and flattening the tantalum powder so as to prepare a flaked tantalum powder; 2) providing a granular tantalum powder prepared from tantalum ingot; 3) mixing the flaked tantalum powder and the granular tantalum powder to give a tantalum powder mixture; and 4) thermally treating the tantalum powder mixture, and then pulverizing, screening to give a composite tantalum powder. The present invention further relates to a composite tantalum powder prepared from the process and the use thereof in a capacitor.

Metal powder particles for use in additive manufacturing are made by removing material from the surface of the particles using wet chemical etching to create a nanoscale texturing of the surface, increasing absorptivity by the metal powder particles of incident laser light and maintaining flowability. The nanoscale texturing has sub-wavelength features at laser wavelengths in the range 800-1100 nm. The particles are substantially spherical and have mean diameters in the range 10-70 μm.

There is provided conductive paste excellent in electro-conductivity and thermal conductivity. Conductive paste comprising conductive filler being composite particles including copper powder and nanosize precipitates which are disposed on the surface of the copper powder and composed of at least one kind of transition metal belonging to the group 8 to group 10 of the periodic table or a compound of the transition metal, and a binder resin.

There is provided conductive paste excellent in electro-conductivity and thermal conductivity. Conductive paste comprising conductive filler being composite particles including copper powder and nanosize precipitates which are disposed on the surface of the copper powder and composed of at least one kind of transition metal belonging to the group 8 to group 10 of the periodic table or a compound of the transition metal, and a binder resin.

A method for synthesizing a reagent complex includes a step of ball-milling a mixture that includes: a powder of a zero-valent element; a hydride molecule; and a nitrile ligand. The method produces a reagent complex having a formula Q.sup.0.X.sub.y.L.sub.z, where Q.sup.0 is the zero-valent element, X is the hydride molecule, and L is the nitrile ligand. A process for synthesizing nanoparticles composed of the zero-valent element includes a step of adding solvent to the reagent complex. Crystal texture of the nanoparticles is modulated by appropriate selection of the molar ratio nitrile ligand in the reagent complex.

A method for synthesizing a reagent complex includes a step of ball-milling a mixture that includes: a powder of a zero-valent element; a hydride molecule; and a nitrile ligand. The method produces a reagent complex having a formula Q.sup.0.X.sub.y.L.sub.z, where Q.sup.0 is the zero-valent element, X is the hydride molecule, and L is the nitrile ligand. A process for synthesizing nanoparticles composed of the zero-valent element includes a step of adding solvent to the reagent complex. Crystal texture of the nanoparticles is modulated by appropriate selection of the molar ratio nitrile ligand in the reagent complex.

Methods of forming dispersoid hardened metallic materials are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method of producing dispersoid hardened metallic materials includes forming a starting composition with a base metal component and a dispersoid forming component. The starting composition includes the base metal component in an amount from about 50 to about 99.999 weight percent and the dispersoid forming component in an amount from about 0.001 to about 1 weight percent, based on the total weight of the starting composition. A starting powder is formed from the starting composition, and the starting powder is fluidized with a fluidizing gas for a period of time sufficient to oxidize the dispersoid forming component to form the dispersoid hardened metallic material. The dispersoid forming component is oxidized while the starting powder is a solid.

Methods of forming dispersoid hardened metallic materials are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method of producing dispersoid hardened metallic materials includes forming a starting composition with a base metal component and a dispersoid forming component. The starting composition includes the base metal component in an amount from about 50 to about 99.999 weight percent and the dispersoid forming component in an amount from about 0.001 to about 1 weight percent, based on the total weight of the starting composition. A starting powder is formed from the starting composition, and the starting powder is fluidized with a fluidizing gas for a period of time sufficient to oxidize the dispersoid forming component to form the dispersoid hardened metallic material. The dispersoid forming component is oxidized while the starting powder is a solid.

To show an LNCAO-type positive electrode active material for a lithium ion battery having a high discharge capacity per unit volume and excellent discharging capacity-holding properties.

Nickel-lithium metal composite oxide powder includes a nickel-lithium metal composite oxide represented by General Formula (1) described below:

Li.sub.xNi.sub.1-y-zM.sub.yN.sub.zO.sub.1.7-2.2   (1), in which the breakdown strength of secondary particles is in a range of 80 MPa or less, the density is 3.30 g/cm.sup.3 or higher when compressed at a pressure of 192 MPa, and the density is 3.46 g/cm.sup.3 or higher when compressed at a pressure of 240 MPa. A method for producing the nickel-lithium metal composite oxide powder includes a water washing step after a firing step for producing a nickel-lithium metal composite oxide powder precursor.