A ceramic powder material which contains an LLZ-based garnet-type compound represented by Li.sub.7−3xAl.sub.xLa.sub.3Zr.sub.2O.sub.12 (where x satisfies 0≤x≤0.3) and in which a main phase of a crystal phase undergoes phase transition from a tetragonal phase to a cubic phase in the process of raising a temperature from 25° C. to 1050° C. and the main phase is the cubic phase even after the temperature is lowered to 25° C.

A method of manufacturing an argyrodite-type solid electrolyte, an argyrodite-type solid electrolyte, and an all-solid-state battery including the argyrodite-type solid electrolyte are provided. The method includes a first step of adding precursors represented by the following Formulas 1 and 2 into a polar aprotic solvent, followed by stirring to obtain a reaction solution; a second step of adding P.sub.2S.sub.5 into the stirred reaction solution, followed by further stirring to form a precipitate obtained as a result of the reaction in the reaction solution; and a third step of drying and heat-treating the reaction solution in which the precipitate is formed to obtain a solid electrolyte: [Formula 1] A.sub.2S [Formula 2] AX wherein A represents an alkali metal, and X represents an element of the halogen group.

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.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of doped and undoped spherical or spheroidal lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (LLZO) powder products, and methods of production using microwave plasma processing, which can be incorporated into solid state lithium ion batteries. Advantageously, embodiments of the disclosed LLZO powder display a high quality, high purity stoichiometry, small particle size, narrow size distribution, spherical morphology, and customizable crystalline structure.

A component for a lithium battery including a first layer including a lithium garnet having a porosity of 0 percent to less than 25 percent, based on a total volume of the first layer; and a second layer on the first layer and having a porosity of 25 percent to 80 percent, based on a total volume of the second layer, wherein the second layer is on the first layer and the second layer has a composition that is different from a composition of the first layer.

Prior art documents do not describe a method for modifying the surface of a calcium aluminate compound, much less describe a method for controlling the particle diameter of a calcium aluminate compound. The present invention provides a novel method for producing a calcium aluminate compound having a modified surface. The present invention provides: a method for producing a modified calcium aluminate compound characterized by irradiating a calcium aluminate compound dispersed in an organic dispersion medium with a femtosecond laser, thereby modifying the surface of the calcium aluminate compound; and a modified calcium aluminate compound characterized by being obtained by this method and having at least one of an OH group, a CO group, a CH group, and an NH group.

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.

Provided is a dielectric composition which includes, as a main component, a complex oxide represented by a general formula A.sub.aB.sub.bC.sub.4O.sub.15+α and having a tungsten bronze structure, wherein “A” includes at least Ba, “B” includes at least Zr, “C” includes at least Nb, “a” is 3.05 or higher, and “b” is 1.01 or higher. In the dielectric composition, when the total number of atoms occupying M2 sites in the tungsten bronze structure is set to 1, the proportion of “B” is 0.250 or higher. In addition, in the dielectric composition, an X-ray diffraction peak of a (410) plane of the tungsten bronze structure is splitted into two, and an integrated intensity ratio of an integrated intensity of a high-angle side peak of the X-ray diffraction peak with respect to an integrated intensity of a low-angle side peak of the X-ray diffraction peak is 0.125 or higher.

Methods of forming sintered compounds and compounds formed using the methods are disclosed. Exemplary methods include reactive flash sintering to form sintered compounds from two or more starting compounds. Various sintered compounds may be suitable for use as solid electrolytes in solid-state electrochemical cells and batteries.

Problem: To provide highly water-repellent layered silicate-coated silica particles with higher safety.

Solution: A layered silicate-coated body has a silica particle, a saponite-like layered silicate derivative coating at least part of the silica particle, and a hydrophobic functional group introduced to the silica particle and/or the layered silicate derivative.