A p-type oxide which is amorphous and is represented by the following compositional formula: xAO.yCu.sub.2O where x denotes a proportion by mole of AO and y denotes a proportion by mole of Cu.sub.2O and x and y satisfy the following expressions: 0x<100 and x+y=100, and A is any one of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba, or a mixture containing at least one selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba.

A p-type oxide which is amorphous and is represented by the following compositional formula: xAO.yCu.sub.2O where x denotes a proportion by mole of AO and y denotes a proportion by mole of Cu.sub.2O and x and y satisfy the following expressions: 0x<100 and x+y=100, and A is any one of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba, or a mixture containing at least one selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba.

Nanoplatelet forms of metal hydroxide and metal oxide are provided, as well as methods for preparing same. The nanoplatelets are suitable for use as fire retardants and as agents for chemical or biological decontamination.

Disclosed is a method for preparing the anti-sintering calcium-based energy storage material by vacuum freeze-drying, which includes preparation of a precursor solution by mixing a calcium salt and a metal salt of manganese, magnesium, iron, cobalt, aluminum, zirconium, titanium, chromium, nickel, lanthanum, yttrium, molybdenum, or other metals in deionized water, vacuum freeze-drying of the precursor solution to obtain fluffy powder, and calcination of the powder in an air atmosphere to obtain the anti-sintering calcium-based energy storage material. The preparation method of the present invention does not require special equipment and harsh conditions, and has strong operability. The prepared calcium-based energy storage materials feature strong stability, high energy storage capacity, etc., and can be used in industrial production.

Disclosed is a method for preparing the anti-sintering calcium-based energy storage material by vacuum freeze-drying, which includes preparation of a precursor solution by mixing a calcium salt and a metal salt of manganese, magnesium, iron, cobalt, aluminum, zirconium, titanium, chromium, nickel, lanthanum, yttrium, molybdenum, or other metals in deionized water, vacuum freeze-drying of the precursor solution to obtain fluffy powder, and calcination of the powder in an air atmosphere to obtain the anti-sintering calcium-based energy storage material. The preparation method of the present invention does not require special equipment and harsh conditions, and has strong operability. The prepared calcium-based energy storage materials feature strong stability, high energy storage capacity, etc., and can be used in industrial production.

A method for making a metal oxide material and catalyzing the oxidative coupling of methane, including mixing a metal cation-containing oxidizer portion and a reducing fuel portion with water to define an aqueous solution, evaporatively removing water from the aqueous solution to yield a concentrated liquid, burning the concentrated liquid yield an homogeneous metal oxide powder, flowing methane from a first source and oxygen from a second source over the homogeneous metal oxide powder, and catalyzing an oxidative coupling of methane reaction with the homogeneous metal oxide powder. The homogeneous metal oxide powder contains metal oxides selected from the group including LaSrAlO.sub.4, LaAlO.sub.3, Sr.sub.3Al.sub.2O.sub.6, Na.sub.2WO.sub.4Mn/SiO.sub.2, and combinations thereof.

A method for making a metal oxide material and catalyzing the oxidative coupling of methane, including mixing a metal cation-containing oxidizer portion and a reducing fuel portion with water to define an aqueous solution, evaporatively removing water from the aqueous solution to yield a concentrated liquid, burning the concentrated liquid yield an homogeneous metal oxide powder, flowing methane from a first source and oxygen from a second source over the homogeneous metal oxide powder, and catalyzing an oxidative coupling of methane reaction with the homogeneous metal oxide powder. The homogeneous metal oxide powder contains metal oxides selected from the group including LaSrAlO.sub.4, LaAlO.sub.3, Sr.sub.3Al.sub.2O.sub.6, Na.sub.2WO.sub.4Mn/SiO.sub.2, and combinations thereof.

Nanoplatelet forms of metal hydroxide and metal oxide are provided, as well as methods for preparing same. The nanoplatelets are suitable for use as fire retardants and as agents for chemical or biological decontamination.

Nanoplatelet forms of metal hydroxide and metal oxide are provided, as well as methods for preparing same. The nanoplatelets are suitable for use as fire retardants and as agents for chemical or biological decontamination.

The present application pertains to processes producing oxides using a weak acid intermediate. In one embodiment a material comprising calcium carbonate is reacted with a solution comprising aqueous carboxylic acid to form a gas comprising carbon dioxide and a solution comprising aqueous calcium carboxylate. The solution comprising aqueous calcium carboxylate is reacted with sodium sulfate to form a solution comprising aqueous sodium carboxylate and a solid comprising calcium sulfate. The solution comprising aqueous sodium carboxylate is reacted with sulfur dioxide to form sodium sulfite and an aqueous carboxylic acid. The sodium sulfite is separated from said aqueous carboxylic acid and reacted to form a solid comprising calcium sulfite which is decomposed to form calcium oxide and sulfur dioxide.