Disclosed is a process for the selective separation and recovery of metal values from process liquors, in particular for the selective recovery of mixed metal sulfates, such as a mixed cobalt-nickel sulfate, from a metal sulfate process liquor.

Mixed-metal oxides and lithiated mixed-metal oxides are disclosed that involve compounds according to, respectively, Ni.sub.xMn.sub.yCo.sub.zMe.sub.O.sub. and Li.sub.1+Ni.sub.xMn.sub.yCo.sub.zMe.sub.O.sub.. In these compounds, Me is selected from B, Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Ag, In, and combinations thereof; 0x1; 0y1; 0z<1; x+y+z>0; 00.5; and x+y+>0. For the mixed-metal oxides, 15. For the lithiated mixed-metal oxides, 0.11.0 and 1.93. The mixed-metal oxides and the lithiated mixed-metal oxides include particles having an average density greater than or equal to 90% of an ideal crystalline density.

The disclosed embodiments relate to the manufacture of a precursor co-precipitate material for a cathode active material composition. During manufacture of the precursor co-precipitate material, an aqueous solution containing at least one of a manganese sulfate and a cobalt sulfate is formed. Next, a NH.sub.4OH solution is added to the aqueous solution to form a particulate solution comprising irregular secondary particles of the precursor co-precipitate material. A constant pH in the range of 10-12 is also maintained in the particulate solution by adding a basic solution to the particulate solution.

The invention relates to electrodes that contain active materials of the formula: A.sub.aM.sub.bX.sub.xO.sub.y wherein A is one or more alkali metals selected from lithium, sodium and potassium; M is selected from one or more transition metals and/or one or more non-transition metals and/or one or more metalloids; X comprises one or more atoms selected from niobium, antimony, tellurium, tantalum, bismuth and selenium; and further wherein 0<a6; b is in the range: 0<b4; x is in the range 0<x1 and y is in the range 2y10. Such electrodes are useful in, for example, sodium and/or lithium ion battery applications.

A solar power system and materials capable of storing heat energy by thermochemical energy storage are disclosed. Thermal energy is stored as chemical potential in these materials through a reversible reduction-oxidation reaction. Thermal energy from concentrated sunlight drives a highly endothermic reduction reaction that liberates lattice oxygen from the oxide to form O.sub.2 gas, leaving energy-rich, oxygen-depleted particles. When desired, the heat is recovered as the particles are re-oxidized in an exothermic reaction upon exposure to air. The system may be integrated with a power generation system to generate power.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to Magneto-Elasto-Electroporation (MEEP) effect by manipulating cell electroporation induced by core shell magnetoelectric nanoparticles (CSMEN).

Disclosed are a passivation layer (200), a preparation method therefor and an application thereof. The passivation layer (200) comprises a first passivation layer (210), the first passivation layer (210) being disposed adjacent to a secondary battery negative electrode plate (100) and having ionic conductivity and a thickness of 0.1-10 nm. The passivation layer (200) also comprises a second passivation layer (220), the second passivation layer (210) being disposed at a side surface of the first passivation layer (210) distant from the negative electrode plate (100) of the secondary battery, comprising a corrosion-resistant material and having a thickness of 0.1-5 nm. The passivation layer (200) has the effect of increasing safety performance and cycle performance of a secondary battery. The preparation method is simple and has high applicability. Furthermore, the obtained passivation layer (200) can be applied in multiple types of batteries and multiple fields.

Provided is a precursor of a positive electrode active material containing, in a reduced amount, impurities which do not contribute to a charge/discharge reaction but rather corrode a firing furnace and peripheral equipment and thus having excellent battery characteristics and safety, and production method thereof. A method for producing a precursor of a positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries having a hollow structure or porous structure includes obtaining the precursor by washing nickel-manganese composite hydroxide particles having a particular composition ratio and a pore structure in which pores are present within the particles with an aqueous carbonate solution having a carbonate concentration of 0.1 mol/L or more.

Mixed-metal oxides and lithiated mixed-metal oxides are disclosed that involve compounds according to, respectively, Ni.sub.xMn.sub.yCo.sub.zMe.sub.O.sub. and Li.sub.i+Ni.sub.xMn.sub.yCo.sub.zMe.sub.O.sub.. In these compounds, Me is selected from B, Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Ag, In, and combinations thereof; 0x1; 0y1; 0z<1; x+y+z>0; 00.5; and x+y+>0. For the mixed-metal oxides, 15. For the lithiated mixed-metal oxides, 0.11.0 and 1.93. The mixed-metal oxides and the lithiated mixed-metal oxides include particles having an average density greater than or equal to 90% of an ideal crystalline density.

There are very few violet or pink colored commercial pigments that display high heat stability, resistance to acidic conditions, or good lightfastness. This technology results in pigments that fall into the above color space, but display improved chemical and weathering stability. The pigments based of this technology have the molar ratio (A.sub.2O).sub.x(BO).sub.y(C.sub.2O.sub.5).sub.z(DO.sub.3).sub.w(EO.sub.2).sub.v, where 2x+y+2z+w+v100. Where A is Li or Li with one or more of Cu, Na, or K, where B is Co or Co with one or more of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Sn, or Zn, where C is Nb, Sb, or combination thereof, where D is Mo, W or combination thereof, where E is Sn, Ti, Zr, or combination thereof. The above formulation may be modified with a dopant addition of Al, B, Ba, Bi, Ca, Ce, Cr, La, P, Pr, Si, Sr, Ta, V, or Y where the dopant concentration represents 5 atomic % or less of the total number of moles of components A+B+C+D+E.