A process may produce mixed oxides including lithium, zirconium, and optionally at least one other than Li and Zr metal, by flame spray pyrolysis. Mixed oxides are obtainable by such a process. Such mixed oxides may be used in lithium ion batteries.

A synthesis method for producing a refractory oxide-ceramic material of CaZrO.sub.3, in particular in the form of a refractory granular material that is preferably mechanically comminuted, in particular crushed and/or ground, as well as to a batch and a coarse ceramic, shaped or unshaped, refractory product containing at least one pre-synthesized refractory calcium zirconate-containing granular material.

Disclosed herein are catalyst compositions having improved mercury intrusion volume and surface areas and processes for making these compositions. The enhanced compositions disclosed herein contain zirconium, cerium, optionally yttrium, and optionally one or more rare earths other than cerium and yttrium. Further disclosed are processes of producing these compositions involving supercritical drying after addition of mesitylene. The compositions can be used as a catalyst and/or as part of a catalyst system in an automobile exhaust system.

A solid garnet composition includes a bulk composition having a lithium garnet; and a surface composition having a protonated garnet on at least a portion of the exterior surface of the lithium garnet, such that the protonated garnet is uniformly disposed over the at least a portion of the exterior surface of the lithium garnet. A method of making a solid garnet composition includes pre-treating an air sensitive lithium-containing garnet with water to form a uniform protonated garnet surface composition; and contacting the uniform protonated garnet surface composition with an acid to form a porous uniform protonated garnet surface composition.

A method of manufacturing a dielectric for a capacitor and a dielectric for a capacitor manufactured thereby are provided. A dielectric for a capacitor is prepared by calcining a precursor mixture containing lead, lanthanum, zirconium, and titanium to produce calcined powder, adding additives including sodium, potassium, and the like to the powder, and sintering the mixture at a low temperature, whereby the dielectric has a high density and a large dielectric constant.

Set forth herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also set forth herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Disclosed herein are novel and inventive methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin (<50 um) free standing membranes of an ionically conducting material for use as a catholyte, electrolyte, and, or, anolyte, in an electrochemical device, a battery component (positive or negative electrode materials), or a complete solid state electrochemical energy storage device. Also, the methods set forth herein disclose novel sintering techniques, e.g., for heating and/or field assisted (FAST) sintering, for solid state energy storage devices and the components thereof.

Nanosized cubic lithium lanthanum zirconate is synthesized by forming a solution including an organic compound and compounds of lithium, lanthanum, and zirconium; drying the solution to yield a solid; and heating the solid in the presence of oxygen to pyrolyze the organic compound to yield a product comprising nanosized cubic lithium lanthanum zirconate.

Set forth herein are processes for making lithium-stuffed garnet oxides (e.g., Li.sub.7La.sub.3Zr.sub.2O.sub.12, also known as LLZO) that have passivated surfaces comprising a fluorinate and/or an oxyfluorinate species. These surfaces resist the formation of oxides, carbonates, hydroxides, peroxides, and organics that spontaneously form on LLZO surfaces under ambient conditions. Also set forth herein are new materials made by these processes.

A method of making an oxygen storage material (OSM) with developed mesoporosity having a small fraction of pores <10 nm (fresh or aged), and resistance to thermal sintering is provided. This OSM is suitable for use as a catalyst and catalyst support. The method of making this oxygen storage material (OSM) includes the preparation of a solution containing pre-polymerized zirconium oligomers, cerium, rare earth and transition metal salts; the interaction of this solution with a complexing agent that has an affinity towards zirconium; the formation of a zirconium-based precursor; and the co-precipitation of all constituent metal hydroxide with abase.

Provided is a positive electrode material which further improves charge/discharge efficiency. The positive electrode material according to the present disclosure includes a positive electrode active material and a first solid electrolyte material. The first solid electrolyte material includes Li, M, and X, and does not include sulfur. M is at least one selected from the group consisting of metalloid elements and metal elements other than Li. X is at least one selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, and I. The positive electrode active material includes a metal oxyfluoride.