The present invention relates to a process for modifying a layered double hydroxide (LDH), the process comprising, a. providing a material comprising a layered double hydroxide of formula: [M.sup.z+.sub.1-xM.sup.y+.sub.x(OH).sub.2].sup.q+(X.sup.n).sub.q/n.bH.sub.2O wherein M and M are metal cations, z is 1 or 2, x is 0.1 to 1, b is 0 to 5, y is 3 or 4, X is an anion, n is 1 to 3 and q is determined by x, y and z, b. optionally washing the material at least once with a mixture of water and a mixing solvent miscible with water, and c. washing the material obtained in step a or b at least once with at least one first solvent, the first solvent being miscible with water and having a solvent polarity P.

The invention is directed towards an electrochemically active cathode material for a battery. The electrochemically active cathode material includes a non-stoichiometric beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide. The non-stoichiometric beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide has a chemical formula. The chemical formula is L.sub.ixA.sub.yNi.sub.1+a-zM.sub.zO.sub.2nH.sub.2O where x is from about 0.02 to about 0.20; y is from about 0.03 to about 0.20; a is from about 0.02 to about 0.2; z is from about 0 to about 0.2; and n is from about 0 to about 1. Within the chemical formula, A is an alkali metal. The alkali metal includes potassium, rubidium, cesium, and any combination thereof. Within the chemical formula, M comprises an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, a non-transition metal, and any combination thereof.

The present invention industrially provides: a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having a high energy density and high cycling characteristics; a cathode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having a high packing efficiency; and a nickel manganese containing composite hydroxide having a small particle size, a narrow particle size distribution, and a high sphericity. When producing the nickel manganese containing composite hydroxide by a crystallization reaction using material solution where metal compounds including nickel and manganese dissolve, a nucleation process is performed in a non-oxidizing atmosphere by stirring an aqueous solution for nucleation, that includes the quantity of the material solution corresponding to 0.6% to 5.0% of the whole amount of substance of metal element included in a metal compound used for the overall crystallization reaction.

Provided is a lepidocrocite-type titanate capable of suppressing the interference with the curing of a thermosetting resin and a resin composition having excellent wear resistance. A lepidocrocite-type titanate has a layered structure formed by chains of TiO.sub.6 octahedra, wherein part of Ti sites is substituted with ions of two or more metals selected from the group consisting of Li, Mg, Zn, Ni, Cu, Fe, Al, Ga, and Mn and runs of at least one metal selected from alkali metals other than Li are contained between layers of the layered structure.

A nanostructured material having a coral reef morphology of nanoflake walls is described. The nanostructured material comprises a Fe(II)/Fe(III) layered double hydroxide intercalated with an azo dye, and a synthesis method is discussed. The nanostructured material may be used to remove a contaminant from a solution by adsorption. The nanostructured material may be cleaned and reused with high adsorption efficiency.

A dielectric material, a method of manufacturing thereof, and a dielectric device and an electronic device including the same. A dielectric material includes a layered metal oxide including a first layer having a positive charge and a second layer having a negative charge which are laminated, a monolayer nanosheet exfoliated from the layered metal oxide, a nanosheet laminate of the monolayer nanosheets, or a combination thereof, wherein the dielectric material includes a two-dimensional layered material having a two-dimensional crystal structure and the two-dimensional layered material is represented by Chemical Formula 1.

The present invention concerns Y-type FAU zeolites with hierarchical porosity having an Si/Al atomic ratio strictly greater than 1.4 and less than or equal to 6, having controlled and optimised crystallinity, and having mesoporosity such that the mesoporous outer surface area is between 40 m.sup.2.Math.g.sup.1 and 400 m.sup.2.Math.g.sup.1. The present invention also concerns the method for preparing said Y-type FAU zeolites with hierarchical porosity.

Electrode materials for electrochemical cells and batteries and methods of producing such materials are disclosed herein. A method of preparing an active lithium metal oxide material suitable for use in an electrode for a lithium electrochemical cell comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the lithium metal oxide material with an aqueous acidic solution containing one or more metal cations; and (b) heating the so-contacted lithium metal oxide from step (a) to dryness at a temperature below 200 C. The metal cations in the aqueous acidic solution comprise one or more metal cations selected from the group consisting of an alkaline earth metal ion, a transition metal ion, and a main group metal ion.

The present invention relates to a process for modifying a layered double hydroxide (LDH), the process comprising, a. providing a water-wet layered double hydroxide of formula:
[M.sup.z+.sub.1-xM.sup.y+.sub.x(OH).sub.2].sup.a+(X.sup.n).sub.a/r.bH.sub.2O(1) wherein M and M are metal cations, z=1 or 2; y=3 or 4, x is 0.1 to 1, preferably x<1, more preferably x=0.1-0.9, b is 0 to 10, X is an anion, r is 1 to 3, n is the charge on the anion X and a is determined by x, y and z, preferably a=z(1x)+xy2; b. maintaining the layered double hydroxide water-wet, and c. contacting the water-wet layered double hydroxide with at least one solvent, the solvent being miscible with water and preferably having a solvent polarity (P) in the range 3.8 to 9,
as well as to a layered double hydroxide prepared according to that process.

Layered double hydroxides having a high surface area (at least 125 m.sup.2/g) and the formula (I)
[M.sup.z+.sub.1?xM.sup.y+.sub.x(OH).sub.2].sup.a+(X.sup.n?).sub.a/n.sub.+bH.sub.2O.c(AMO-solvent)(I)
wherein M and M are different and each is a charged metal cation (and must be present), z=1 or 2; y=3 or 4, 0<x<0.9, b is 0 to 10, c=0 to 10, X is an anion, n is the charge on the anion, and a=z(1?x)+xy?2; AMO-solvent is aqueous miscible organic solvent, may be prepared by a method which comprises a) precipitating a layered double hydroxide having the formula
[M.sup.z+.sub.1?xM.sup.y+.sub.x(OH).sub.2].sup.a+(X.sup.n?).sub.a/n.sub.+bH.sub.2O wherein M, M, z, y, x, a, b and X are as defined above from a solution containing the cations of the metals M and M and the anion X.sup.n?; b) ageing the layered double hydroxide precipitate obtained in step a) in the original solution; c) collecting, then washing the layered double hydroxide precipitate; d) dispersing the wet layered double hydroxide in an AMO solvent so as to produce a slurry of the layered double hydroxide in the solvent; e) maintaining the dispersion obtained in step d); and f) recovering and drying the layered double hydroxide. The high surface area products have low particle size and are particularly suitable for use as catalysts, catalyst supports, sorbents and coatings.