A battery cell having an anode or cathode comprising an acidified metal oxide (“AMO”) material, preferably in monodisperse nanoparticulate form 20 nm or less in size, having a pH<7 when suspended in a 5 wt % aqueous solution and a Hammett function H.sub.0>−12, at least on its surface.

In one embodiment, a secondary battery is provided, which includes an electrolytic solution, and a positive electrode and a negative electrode which are immersed in the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution contains water, an electrolyte salt, and at least one kind of an organic solvent with a relative permittivity of not more than 42. The relative permittivity of the electrolytic solution fractionated when converted according to a volume fraction is not more than 78.50.

In one embodiment, a secondary battery is provided, which includes an electrolytic solution, and a positive electrode and a negative electrode which are immersed in the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution contains water, an electrolyte salt, and at least one kind of an organic solvent with a relative permittivity of not more than 42. The relative permittivity of the electrolytic solution fractionated when converted according to a volume fraction is not more than 78.50.

Core-shell particles may be based on red lead coated with pyrogenically produced titanium dioxide and/or a pyrogenically produced aluminum oxide, and a process may prepare such core-shell particles which may be used in lead-acid batteries. The red lead may include PbO.sub.2 in a range of from 25 to 32 wt. %.

A negative electrode active material according to one embodiment includes a titanium oxide compound having a crystal structure of monoclinic system titanium dioxide. The titanium oxide compound is modified by at least one kind of ion selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal cation, an alkali earth metal cation, a transition metal cation, a sulfide ion, a sulfuric acid ion and a chloride ion.

A negative electrode active material according to one embodiment includes a titanium oxide compound having a crystal structure of monoclinic system titanium dioxide. The titanium oxide compound is modified by at least one kind of ion selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal cation, an alkali earth metal cation, a transition metal cation, a sulfide ion, a sulfuric acid ion and a chloride ion.

A composition comprising a pigment particle that is coated with a cationic material and isopropyl titanium tri-isostearate. The pigment particle can be included in a cleansing composition for deposition on a surface, such as skin.

A composition comprising a pigment particle that is coated with a cationic material and isopropyl titanium tri-isostearate. The pigment particle can be included in a cleansing composition for deposition on a surface, such as skin.

The invention provides a method for preparing a dry titanium dioxide product, comprising the steps of: providing a dispersion comprising titanium dioxide particles; treating the titanium dioxide particles with a silane of formula (I):

R.sup.II(OR.sup.I).sub.aORSiX.sub.3  (I)

wherein R is a divalent C1-24 organic group that is carbon-bonded to the silicon atom, R.sup.I is a C2-6 alkylene group, R.sup.II is hydrogen, a C1-16 alkyl group, a C2-16 alkyl ether group, or a C2-12 acyloxy group, X is a hydrolysable group, and a is a number having a value from 3 to 150;
and then drying the dispersion to provide a dry titanium dioxide product.

The dry titanium dioxide product may optionally be dispersed within a vehicle.

The invention provides a method for preparing a dry titanium dioxide product, comprising the steps of: providing a dispersion comprising titanium dioxide particles; treating the titanium dioxide particles with a silane of formula (I):

R.sup.II(OR.sup.I).sub.aORSiX.sub.3  (I)

wherein R is a divalent C1-24 organic group that is carbon-bonded to the silicon atom, R.sup.I is a C2-6 alkylene group, R.sup.II is hydrogen, a C1-16 alkyl group, a C2-16 alkyl ether group, or a C2-12 acyloxy group, X is a hydrolysable group, and a is a number having a value from 3 to 150;
and then drying the dispersion to provide a dry titanium dioxide product.

The dry titanium dioxide product may optionally be dispersed within a vehicle.