Methods for preparing a layered metal nanocomposite and a layered metal nanocomposite. The method includes mixing a magnesium salt and a 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.

There is provided a functional layer including a layered double hydroxide. The functional layer further contains titania.

The present invention relates to a positive electrode active material for a rechargeable lithium battery and a rechargeable lithium battery including same, wherein the positive electrode active material comprises a core and a surface layer formed on the surface of the core, the core comprising a first crystalline structure, the surface layer comprising a first crystalline structure and a second crystalline structure different from the first crystalline structure, the first crystalline structure being present more than the second crystalline structure in the surface layer.

A method for controlling the concentration of impurities in Bayer liquors, the method comprising the steps of adding an oxide and/or a hydroxide of a metal other than aluminium to a Bayer liquor with a desired TA; forming a layered double hydroxide; and incorporating at least one impurity in said layered double hydroxide, wherein the impurities are selected from the group comprising phosphorus, vanadium and silicon.

A method for controlling the concentration of impurities in Bayer liquors, the method comprising the steps of adding an oxide and/or a hydroxide of a metal other than aluminium to a Bayer liquor with a desired TA forming a layered double hydroxide; and incorporating at least one impurity in the layered double hydroxide, wherein the impurities are selected from the group comprising chloride, fluoride, sulfate and TOC.

There is provided a functional layer including layered double hydroxide. The functional has an average porosity of 1 to 40% and an average pore diameter of 100 nm or less.

Embodiments are directed to adamantane-intercalated layered double-hydroxide (LDH) particles and the methods of producing adamantane-intercalated LDH particles. The adamantane-intercalated LDH particles have a general formula defined by [M.sub.1-xAl.sub.x(OH).sub.2](A).sub.x.mH.sub.2O, where x is from 0.14 to 0.33, m is from 0.33 to 0.50, M is chosen from Mg, Ca, Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn, and A is adamantane carboxylate. The adamantane-intercalated LDH particles further have an aspect ratio greater than 100. The aspect ratio is defined by the width of an adamantane-intercalated LDH particle divided by the thickness of the adamantane-intercalated LDH particle.

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.

A sintering powder, wherein a least a portion of the particles making up the sintering powder comprise: a core comprising a first material; and a shell at least partially coating the core, the shell comprising a second material having a lower oxidation potential than the first material.

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 Li.sub.xA.sub.yNi.sub.1+azM.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.