Provided are compounds of the formula M.sup.A.sub.1-xM.sup.B.sub.xX.sup.A.sub.1-yX.sup.B.sub.yQ.sup.A.sub.1-zQ.sup.B.sub.z, wherein M.sup.A and M.sup.B are selected from Si, Ge, Sn, and Pb, X.sup.A and X.sup.B are selected from F, Cl, Br and I, Q.sup.A and Q.sup.B are selected from P, As, Sb and Bi, and x, y and z are 0 to 0.5, as well as doped variants thereof, useful as semiconducting materials. Due a double helix structure formed by the constituting atoms, the compounds are particularly suitable to provide nano-materials, in particular nanowires, for diverse applications.

The present invention relates to the dielectric composition including barium titanate, strontium titanate, titanium oxide and bismuth oxide. In case when the content of barium titanate, converted to BaTiO.sub.3, is a mol %, the content of strontium titanate, converted to SrTiO.sub.3, is b mol %, the content of titanium oxide and bismuth oxide, converted to Bi.sub.2Ti.sub.3O.sub.9, is c mol %, and a+b+c=100, a, b and c are values within a scope surrounded by the following four points, i.e. point A, point B, point C and point D in a three-dimensional phase diagram. Point A: (a, b, c)=(52.1, 40.0, 7.9); point B: (a, b, c)=(86.5, 5.6, 7.9); point C: (a, b, c)=(91.0, 5.6, 3.4); point D: (a, b, c)=(56.6, 40.0, 3.4).

The invention relates to a piezoelectric lead-free material based on bismuth sodium titanate, to a method for the production thereof, and to the use thereof.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a solid electrolyte material with excellent fluoride ion conductivity. The present disclosure achieves the object by providing a solid electrolyte material to be used for a fluoride ion battery, the solid electrolyte material comprising: a composition of Bi.sub.xM.sub.1-xF.sub.2+x, in which 0.4x0.9, and M is at least one kind of Sn, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Pb; and a crystal phase that has a Tysonite structure.

The present invention relates to an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The anode material for lithium-ion batteries is represented by the molecular formula: M.sub.xN.sub.yTi.sub.zO.sub.(x+3y+4z)/2, where: 0x8, 1y8, and 1z8; M is an alkali metal selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, and K; and N is a group V.sub.A element selected from the group consisting of P, Sb, and Bi or a rare earth metal selected from the group consisting of Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Yb, and La. The anode material of the present invention has a delithiation potential of 0.8 to 1.2 V vs. Li.sup.+/Li, and has a better potential plateau, better cycle performance, and better output-input properties, than a titanium-based anode material.

Mixed chloride-bromide bismuth oxyhalide compounds, with the molar ratio chloride:bromide being equal to or greater than 1:1, in the form of microspheres exhibiting flower-like surface morphology, are disclosed. Processes for preparing the compounds, formulations of the compounds and a method for purifying water using said compounds are also disclosed.

A process for synthesizing a Mn.sup.4+ doped phosphor of formula I by electrolysis is presented. The process includes electrolyzing a reaction solution comprising a source of manganese, a source of M and a source of A. One aspect relates to a phosphor composition produced by the process. A lighting apparatus including the phosphor composition is also provided. A.sub.x[MF.sub.y]:Mn.sup.4+ (I) where, A is Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, or a combination thereof; M is Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr, Al, Ga, In, Sc, Hf, Y, La, Nb, Ta, Bi, Gd, or a combination thereof; x is the absolute value of the charge of the [MF.sub.y] ion; and y is 5, 6 or 7.

The present invention relates to pigments based on bismuth compounds and to the use thereof, preferably as laser-absorbent additive, and to a process for the preparation thereof.

The present teachings provide, in part, methods of separating two-dimensional nanomaterials by atomic layer thickness. In certain embodiments, the present teachings provide methods of generating boron nitride nanomaterials having a controlled number of atomic layer(s).

The present disclosure relates to a process for synthesis of barium bismuth sulfide nanofibers, having equivalent shielding capacity as lead. The present disclosure also relates to a radiation shielding articles and cosmeceuticals.