The invention relates to active electrode materials and to methods for the manufacture of active electrode materials. Such materials are of interest as active electrode materials in lithium-ion or sodium-ion batteries. The invention provides an active electrode material expressed by the general formula M1.sub.aM2.sub.2-aM.sub.3bNb.sub.34-bO.sub.87-c-dQ.sub.d.

A layered niobate which is used as a photocatalyst. The layered niobate has the formula [H.sub.aA.sub.b].sup.+[Sr.sub.2Nb.sub.3O.sub.10].sup.. [Sr.sub.2Nb.sub.3O.sub.10].sup. forms main layers. [H.sub.aA.sub.b].sup.+ forms interlayers, wherein H includes H.sup.+ and H.sub.3O.sup.+, A is K.sup.+, Cs.sup.+ and Rb.sup.+, 0.6a1, 0b0.4, and a+b=1. The layered niobate has different spacings between the main layers.

According to one embodiment, there is provided an active material. The active material includes secondary particles. The secondary particles include first primary particles and second primary particles. The first primary particles include an orthorhombic Na-containing niobium-titanium composite oxide. The second primary particles include at least one selected from the group consisting of a carbon black, a graphite, a titanium nitride, a titanium carbide, a lithium titanate having a spinel structure, a titanium dioxide having an anatase structure, and a titanium dioxide having a rutile structure.

A ceramic dielectric including: a bulk dielectric including barium (Ba) and titanium (Ti); a ceramic nanosheet; and a composite dielectric of the bulk dielectric and the ceramic nanosheet.

An oxide including a compound represented by Formula 1:

(Li.sub.xM1.sub.y)(M2).sub.3-(M3).sub.2-O.sub.12-zX.sub.z Formula 1

wherein, in Formula 1, 6x8, 0y<2, 0.20.2, 0.20.2, and 0z2; M1 is a monovalent cation, a divalent cation, a trivalent cation, or a combination thereof; M2 is a monovalent cation, a divalent cation, a trivalent cation, or a combination thereof; M3 is a monovalent cation, a divalent cation, a trivalent cation, a tetravalent cation, a pentavalent cation, a hexavalent cation, or a combination thereof; wherein at least one of M1, M2, or M3 includes at least four elements; and X is a monovalent anion, a divalent anion, a trivalent anion, or a combination thereof.

Solid-state lithium ion electrolytes of lithium potassium element oxide based compounds are provided which contain an anionic framework capable of conducting lithium ions. The element atoms are Ir, Sb, I Nb and W. An activation energy of the lithium potassium element oxide compounds is from 0.15 to 0.50 eV and conductivities are from 10.sup.3 to 22 mS/cm at 300K. Compounds of specific formulae are provided and methods to alter the materials with inclusion of aliovalent ions shown. Lithium batteries containing the composite lithium ion electrolytes are also provided. Electrodes containing the lithium potassium element oxide based materials and batteries with such electrodes are also provided.

A dielectric composition comprising a complex oxide represented by a general formula of A.sub.aB.sub.bC.sub.4O.sub.15+ and an oxide including aluminum, in which A at least includes Ba, B at least includes Zr, and C at least includes Nb, a is 2.50 or more and 3.50 or less, and b is 0.50 or more, and 1.50 or less.

Provided is a dielectric composition exhibiting a high strength and a high specific dielectric constant. The dielectric composition contains composite oxide particles having a composition formula represented by (Sr.sub.xBa.sub.1-x).sub.yNb.sub.2O.sub.5+y and an Al-based segregation phase. The Al segregation phase has niobium, aluminum, and oxygen.

Provided is a dielectric composition exhibiting a high specific dielectric constant and a high resistivity even when fired in a reducing atmosphere. The dielectric composition contains a composite oxide having a composition represented by (Sr.sub.xBa.sub.1-x).sub.yNb.sub.2O.sub.5+y, the crystal system of the composite oxide is tetragonal, and y in the composition formula is smaller than 1.

According to one embodiment, an electrode is provided. The electrode includes the active material-containing layer formed on the current collector and including active material particles. The particle size distribution chart obtained by the laser diffraction scattering method for the active material particles includes the first region and the second region. The first particle group included in the first region includes the first active material particles, and the second particle group included in the second region includes second active material particles. The carbon coverage of the first particle group is higher than the carbon coverage of the second particle group.