A new silicon material is provided.

A negative electrode active material including an Al- and O-containing silicon material, the Al- and O-containing silicon material being configured such that a mass % of Al (W.sub.Al %) satisfies 0<W.sub.Al<1, and a peak indicating AlO bond is observed in a range of 1565 to 1570 eV in an X-ray absorption fine structure measurement for a K shell of Al.

A new silicon material is provided.

A negative electrode active material including an Al- and O-containing silicon material, the Al- and O-containing silicon material being configured such that a mass % of Al (W.sub.Al %) satisfies 0<W.sub.Al<1, and a peak indicating AlO bond is observed in a range of 1565 to 1570 eV in an X-ray absorption fine structure measurement for a K shell of Al.

Synthetic pozzolans are produced using local materials to provide a cementitious material that is uniform in chemistry and properties independent of the location where the materials are obtained. Two methods of production are described. One is a high temperature process in which materials are processed in a semi-molten or molten state. The second process is a low temperature aqueous process.

Synthetic pozzolans are produced using local materials to provide a cementitious material that is uniform in chemistry and properties independent of the location where the materials are obtained. Two methods of production are described. One is a high temperature process in which materials are processed in a semi-molten or molten state. The second process is a low temperature aqueous process.

Colloidal compositions and methods of preparing same are provided. The colloidal compositions include a silicate and a metal dispersed therein. The colloidal compositions can further include a stabilizer, such as a quaternary amine, to enhance the and dispersion of the metal loading within the silicate. The colloidal compositions can be made such that the metal is dispersed within the silicate in a controlled manner.

Colloidal compositions and methods of preparing same are provided. The colloidal compositions include a silicate and a metal dispersed therein. The colloidal compositions can further include a stabilizer, such as a quaternary amine, to enhance the and dispersion of the metal loading within the silicate. The colloidal compositions can be made such that the metal is dispersed within the silicate in a controlled manner.

The invention relates to a method for preparing a material based on an aluminosilicate selected from barium aluminosilicate BAS, barium-strontium aluminosilicate BSAS, and strontium aluminosilicate SAS, said aluminosilicate consisting of aluminosilicate with a hexagonal structure, characterised in that it includes a single sintering step in which a mixture of powders of precursors of said aluminosilicate, including an aluminium hydroxide Al(OH).sub.3 powder, are sintered by a hot-sintering technique with a pulsed electric field SPS; whereby a material based on an aluminosilicate, said aluminosilicate consisting of an aluminosilicate with a hexagonal structure is obtained. The material based on an aluminosilicate prepared by said method can be used in a method for preparing a composite material consisting of an aluminosilicate matrix reinforced by reinforcements made of metalloid or metal oxide.

The invention relates to a method for preparing a material based on an aluminosilicate selected from barium aluminosilicate BAS, barium-strontium aluminosilicate BSAS, and strontium aluminosilicate SAS, said aluminosilicate consisting of aluminosilicate with a hexagonal structure, characterised in that it includes a single sintering step in which a mixture of powders of precursors of said aluminosilicate, including an aluminium hydroxide Al(OH).sub.3 powder, are sintered by a hot-sintering technique with a pulsed electric field SPS; whereby a material based on an aluminosilicate, said aluminosilicate consisting of an aluminosilicate with a hexagonal structure is obtained. The material based on an aluminosilicate prepared by said method can be used in a method for preparing a composite material consisting of an aluminosilicate matrix reinforced by reinforcements made of metalloid or metal oxide.

Solid-state lithium ion electrolytes of lithium silicate based composites are provided which contain an anionic framework capable of conducting lithium ions. An activation energy for lithium ion migration in the solid state lithium ion electrolytes is 0.5 eV or less and room temperature conductivities are greater than 10.sup.5 S/cm. Composites of specific formulae are provided and methods to alter the composite materials with inclusion of aliovalent ions shown. Lithium batteries containing the composite lithium ion electrolytes are also provided.

Solid-state lithium ion electrolytes of lithium silicate based composites are provided which contain an anionic framework capable of conducting lithium ions. An activation energy for lithium ion migration in the solid state lithium ion electrolytes is 0.5 eV or less and room temperature conductivities are greater than 10.sup.5 S/cm. Composites of specific formulae are provided and methods to alter the composite materials with inclusion of aliovalent ions shown. Lithium batteries containing the composite lithium ion electrolytes are also provided.