There is disclosed a layered article that can be used in indirect printing, in analog or digital processes. The layered article, when configured as a transfer member, may serve to receive an ink in any form, allow the ink to be treated so as to form an ink image, and permit the application of the ink image on a substrate. The transfer member comprises a support layer and an imaging layer, which may be formed of a silicon matrix including dispersed carbon black particles. Methods for preparing the same are also disclosed.

Provided are a positive electrode active material that can provide a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery having high energy density and excellent output characteristics, a nickel-manganese composite hydroxide as a precursor thereof, and methods for producing these. A nickel-manganese composite hydroxide is represented by General Formula (1): Ni.sub.xMn.sub.yM.sub.z(OH).sub.2+ and contains a secondary particle formed of a plurality of flocculated primary particles. The nickel-manganese composite hydroxide has a half width of a diffraction peak of a (001) plane of at least 0.35 and up to 0.50 and has a degree of sparsity/density represented by [(a void area within the secondary particle/a cross section of the secondary particle)100](%) within a range of greater than 10% and up to 25%.

Calcium silicate powders are provided. The calcium silicate powders comprise porous calcium silicate particles and an additive, the additive being at least partially penetrated into the pores of the particles. The additive is present in an amount of between 1.5 and 50% w, wherein % w is the weight ratio, expressed as percentage, of the dry weight of the additive over the dry weight of the combination of the calcium silicate particles and additive.

Surface-modified layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are disclosed, as well as processes by which they are made, and uses of the LDHs in composite materials. The surface-modified LDHs of the invention are more organophilic than their unmodified analogues, which allows the LDHs to be incorporated in a wide variety of materials, wherein the interesting functionality of LDHs may be exploited.

A process is provided for making a silica masterbatch, that contains silica and solution-made rubber. The silica masterbatch has physical properties similar to those found in a comparable dry-mixed composition, but the silica masterbatch can be incorporated more easily and less expensively into tires and other rubber products than the dry-mixed composition. A process is also provided for making a masterbatch of silica, a solution-made rubber and an emulsion-made rubber.

The invention relates to a matting agent comprising agglomerates of pigment particles, to a method for the preparation of such matting agents, and to coating formulations containing the matting agents disclosed herein. The present invention further relates to pigmented mat surfaces, and to the use of agglomerates of pigment particles for matting pigmented coatings.

Apparatus and process for the continuous production of carbon black or carbon containing compounds. The process is performed by converting a carbon containing feedstock, including generating a plasma gas with electrical energy, accelerating the plasma gas through a nozzle, whose diameter is narrowing in the direction of the plasma gas, guiding the plasma gas into a reaction area where feedstock is injected under conditions generated by aerodynamic and electromagnetic forces, including intense rapid mixing between the plasma gas and feedstock occurs. There is no significant recirculation of feedstock into the plasma chamber, and the reaction zone does not immediately come into contact with any contact surfaces. The products of reaction are cooled, and the carbon black or carbon containing compounds are separated from the other reaction products.

A method for manufacturing a positive electrode active material for a lithium-ion secondary battery, the method including: a step for firing mixed powder in which metal nickel powder, a compound containing Li, and a compound containing a metal element M other than Li and Ni are mixed to yield a positive electrode active material for a lithium-ion secondary battery, the positive electrode active material having a layered structure, wherein the amount of Ni in the total amount of metal elements contained in the positive electrode active material for a lithium-ion secondary battery is equal to or greater than 60% in terms of the atomic ratio, and the nickel powder is at least partially oxidized or a step for oxidizing said powder is included.

A carbon black wherein a nitrogen adsorption specific surface area (N.sub.2SA) is 25 to 60 m.sup.2/g, a DBP absorption number is 90 to 180 cm.sup.3/100 g, a ratio of the nitrogen adsorption specific surface area (N.sub.2SA) to an iodine adsorption number (IA) (N.sub.2SA/IA) is 1.10?10.sup.3 to 1.50?10.sup.3 m.sup.2/g, a hydrogen content by NMR is 150 to 250 /g, and ?D is 260 to 290 cm.sup.?1.

There are disclosed curable elastomeric compositions comprising at least one reactive curable silicone pre-polymer capable of forming a silicone elastomer upon curing thereof, and a plurality of hydrophilic carbon black particles dispersed therein, as well as their corresponding cured products. Such compositions, once cured, can be used for the preparation of numerous articles of wide industrial applicability.