Separators, electrochemical cells and methods are provided, to improve operation of cells such as metal-ion batteries and fuel cells. Separators comprise a porous, ionically conductive film including layered double hydroxide(s) (LDHs), which are functional ceramic additives, removing potentially harmful anions from the electrolyte by incorporating them into the LDH structure of positively-charged sheets with intermediary anions. For example, anions which are electrolyte decomposition products or cathode dissolution products may be absorbed into the LDH to prevent them from causing damage to the cell and shortening the cell's life. LDHs may be incorporated in the separator structure, coated thereupon or otherwise associated therewith. Additional benefits include dimensional stability during thermal excursions, fire retardancy and impurity scavenging.

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.

Methods for preparing a layered metal nanocomposite and a layered metal nanocomposite. The method includes mixing a magnesium salt and an aluminum salt to form a Mg.sup.2+/Al.sup.3+ solution. The Mg/Al has a molar ratio of between 0.5:1 to 6:1. Then a diamondoid compound is added to the Mg.sup.2+/Al.sup.3+ solution to form a reactant mixture. The diamondoid compound has at least one carboxylic acid moiety. The reactant mixture is heated at a reaction temperature for a reaction time to form a Mg/Al-diamondoid intercalated layered double hydroxide. The Mg/Al-diamondoid intercalated layered double hydroxide is thermally decomposed under a reducing atmosphere for a decomposition time at a decomposition temperature to form the layered metal nanocomposite.

Disclosed herein is a constant shear continuous reactor device, comprising: an annular gas delivery tube comprising a gas inlet and a gas outlet; a first annular liquid delivery tube comprising a first liquid inlet and a first liquid outlet arranged concentrically around the annular gas delivery tube along a common axis, where the first liquid outlet is located at a downstream position relative to the gas outlet or is coterminous with the gas outlet; and an annular reactor wall tube comprising a final liquid inlet, a mixing zone section and a reactor outlet, where the annular reactor wall tube is arranged concentrically around the first annular liquid delivery tube along the common axis.

A method for preparing a composition including mineral particles functionalized by at least one organic group and having a specific surface defined according to the BET method greater than 500 m.sup.2/g, involves: —choosing a phyllosilicate composition, including mineral particles having a thickness of less than 100 nm, a largest dimension of less than 10 μm and belonging to the family of lamellar silicates; —choosing at least one functionalizing agent, from the group formed from the oxysilanes and oxygermanes having at least one organic group, —bringing the phyllosilicate composition into contact with a functionalizing solution including the functionalizing agent, so as to obtain a phyllosilicate composition including mineral particles functionalized by the organic group, while choosing the organic group from the group formed from the cationic heteroaryl groups, the quaternary ammonium groups and the salts of same. The phyllosilicate composition obtained by the method is also described.

A method for extracting and separating salt alkali from saline alkali soil and soil improvement is disclosed. A foundation pit, square convex edge and cylindrical partition are arranged on a saline alkali land. Nitric or phosphoric acid solution is added to obtain a saline alkali pool. A trench is set around, and/or, a cylinder is set in the center of saline alkali pool. The evaporating material is prepared from vermiculite, laid on plastic wrapping material, and/or added into the cylinder. The salt alkali is precipitated and enriched through natural evaporation. The evaporating material enriched with salt alkali is taken out to be dissolved, separated and washed to obtain saline alkali solution and vermiculite or evaporating material. The vermiculite material is returned for reuse, and the above process is repeated. Alkali solution and intercalation agent are added into saline alkali solution to react and crystallize to obtain functional materials.

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.2.Math.nH.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.

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

The invention relates to a layered double hydroxide (LDH) material and methods for using the LDH material to catalyse the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in a water-splitting process. The invention also provides a composition, a catalytic material, an electrode and an electrolyser including the LDH material. In particular, the LDH material includes a metal composite including cobalt, iron, chromium and optionally nickel species interspersed with a hydroxide layer.

A layered double hydroxide of the present disclosure includes two or more transition metals and a chelating agent. The layered double hydroxide has an average particle diameter of 10 nm or less.