The invention relates to Chevrel-phase materials and methods of preparing these materials utilizing a precursor approach. The Chevrel-phase materials are useful in assembling electrodes, e.g., cathodes, for use in electrochemical cells, such as rechargeable batteries. The Chevrel-phase materials have a general formula of Mo.sub.6Z.sub.8 (Z=sulfur) or Mo.sub.6Z.sup.1.sub.8-yZ.sup.2.sub.y (Z.sup.1=sulfur; Z.sup.2=selenium), and partially cuprated Cu.sub.1Mo.sub.6S.sub.8 as well as partially de-cuprated Cu.sub.1-xMg.sub.xMo.sub.6S.sub.8 and the precursors have a general formula of M.sub.xMo.sub.6Z.sub.8 or M.sub.xMo.sub.6Z.sup.1.sub.8-yZ.sup.2.sub.y, M=Cu. The cathode containing the Chevrel-phase material in accordance with the invention can be combined with a magnesium-containing anode and an electrolyte.

The invention relates to a mixed-anion solid electrolyte, having the following chemical formula: Li.sub.dAl.sub.1cY.sub.cCl.sub.3aX.sub.b, wherein Y is selected from at least one of Si.sup.4+, Ge.sup.4+, Sn.sup.4+, Sb.sup.5+, Nb.sup.5+, Ta.sup.5+, Mo.sup.6+, and W.sup.6+, and X is selected from at least one of O.sup.2, S.sup.2, F.sup., Br.sup., I.sup., and BH.sup.4; and wherein 0<d2, 0<b2, 0<a2, 0<c<0.75 and charge balance is reached.

The present invention concerns specific new compounds of formula Li.sub.(2x)Na.sub.(x)MO.sub.(2y/2)F.sub.(1+y) (where 0x0.2 and 0.6y0,8 and M is a transition metal), cathode material comprising the new compounds, batteries and lithium-cells comprising said new compound or cathode material, a process for the production of the new compound and their use.

A method for synthesizing a MoO.sub.3@Al.sub.2O.sub.3MgO nanocomposite material includes adding distilled water and HNO.sub.3 to a mixture of (NH.sub.4).sub.2MoO.sub.4, Al(NO.sub.3).sub.3.Math.9H.sub.2O, Mg(Ac).sub.2.Math.4H.sub.2O, and sucrose to form a reaction mixture, heating the reaction mixture to a reaction temperature ranging from 150 C. to 220 C. until a carbonized product is formed, grinding of the carbonized product to form a ground carbonized product, and calcining the ground carbonized product at a temperature range from 700 C. to 800 C. for a period of 2 to 4 hours to form the MoO.sub.3@ Al.sub.2O.sub.3MgO nanocomposite material. The MoO.sub.3 content of the MoO.sub.3@Al.sub.2O.sub.3MgO nanocomposite material is in a range from 1 wt. % to 20 wt. %. The MoO.sub.3@Al.sub.2O.sub.3MgO nanocomposite material has an AC conductivity greater than or equal to 110.sup.6 S/m when measured at 6 megahertz.

Niobate particles include molybdenum and are represented by K.sub.xNa.sub.(1-x)Nb.sub.yO.sub.z, where X=0 to 1, y=1 to 10, and z=3 to 20. Preferably, the niobate particles are niobate particles including at least one selected from the group consisting of K.sub.xNa.sub.(1-x)NbO.sub.3 particles having a cubic shape, K.sub.2Nb.sub.4O.sub.11 particles having a columnar shape, a wire shape, or a ribbon shape, K.sub.4Nb.sub.6O.sub.17 particles having a plate shape, and KNb.sub.3O.sub.8 particles having a columnar shape, a wire shape, or a ribbon shape.

Niobate particles having an excellent degree of crystal growth. Niobate particles include a crystal structure of niobate represented by K.sub.xNa.sub.(1x)Nb.sub.yTa.sub.(1y)O.sub.3, where 0x1, and 0<y1. The crystal structure has an average crystallite size of 80 nm or greater as determined from a peak at 2=23.01.0 of the niobate, the peak being a peak obtained in an X-ray diffraction measurement.

The invention relates to Chevrel-phase materials and methods of preparing these materials utilizing a precursor approach. The Chevrel-phase materials are useful in assembling electrodes, e.g., cathodes, for use in electrochemical cells, such as rechargeable batteries. The Chevrel-phase materials have a general formula of Mo.sub.6Z.sub.8 (Z=sulfur) or Mo.sub.6Z.sup.1.sub.8-yZ.sup.2.sub.y (Z.sup.1=sulfur; Z.sup.2=selenium), and partially cuprated Cu.sub.1Mo.sub.6Z.sub.8 as well as partially de-cuprated Cu.sub.1-xMg.sub.xMo.sub.6S.sub.8 and the precursors have a general formula of M.sub.xMo.sub.6Z.sub.8 or M.sub.xMo.sub.6Z.sup.1.sub.8-yZ.sup.2.sub.y, M=Cu. The cathode containing the Chevrel-phase material in accordance with the invention can be combined with a magnesium-containing anode and an electrolyte.

A process for producing a titanium-molybdate material is provided. The process includes a step of reacting a metal molybdenum (Mo) material in a liquid medium with a first acid to provide a Mo composition and combining the Mo composition with a titanium source to provide a TiMo composition. The TiMo composition can be pH adjusted with a base to precipitate a plurality of TiMo particulates.

An object of the present invention is to provide a composite oxide particle material formed of zinc molybdate having a high purity and a high circularity. The composite oxide particle material is formed of a composite oxide, of molybdenum and zinc, having an average particle diameter of 0.1 m or more and 5.0 m or less, a BET specific surface area of 1 m.sup.2/g or more and 20 m.sup.2/g or less, (peak intensity at 26.6 according to XRD)/(peak intensity at 24.2) of 1.20 or more, an impurity concentration of 1 mass % or less, and a circularity of 0.90 or more. XRD is measured with CuK radiation.

Provided is a molybdenum oxychloride characterized in having a purity of 99.9995 wt % or higher. Additionally provided is a manufacturing method of a molybdenum oxychloride including the steps of reacting MoO.sub.3 and Cl.sub.2 and synthesizing the molybdenum oxychloride in a reaction chamber, and cooling the synthesized molybdenum oxychloride gas and precipitating the molybdenum oxychloride in a recovery chamber, wherein an impurity trap is provided between the reaction chamber and the recovery chamber, and impurities are removed with the impurity trap.