A solid electrolyte material contains Li, M, and X. M contains Y, and X is at least one selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, and I. A first converted pattern, which is obtained by converting the X-ray diffraction pattern of the solid electrolyte material to change its horizontal axis from the diffraction angle to q, includes its base peak within the range in which q is 2.109 Å.sup.−1 or more and 2.315 Å.sup.−1 or less. A second converted pattern, which is obtained by converting the X-ray diffraction pattern to change its horizontal axis from the diffraction angle to q/q.sub.0, where q.sub.0 is the q corresponding to the base peak in the first converted pattern, includes a peak within each of the range in which q/q.sub.0 is 1.28 or more and 1.30 or less and the range in which q/q.sub.0 is 1.51 or more and 1.54 or less.

There are provided a new type of crystal laminate of an alkaline earth metal titanate having improved catalytic activity, and a method for producing the same. The crystal laminate is provided having a crystal of the alkaline earth metal titanate as a constitutional unit, wherein the crystal being the constitutional unit is a cubic crystal, a tetragonal crystal or an orthorhombic crystal; the crystal being the constitutional unit has a primary particle diameter of 500 nm or less; and the crystal is layered with an orientation in a {100} plane direction thereof.

The invention relates to Chevrel-phase materials and methods of preparing these materials utilizing a precursor approach. The Chevrel-phase materials are useful in assembling electrodes, e.g., cathodes, for use in electrochemical cells, such as rechargeable batteries. The Chevrel-phase materials have a general formula of Mo.sub.6Z.sub.8 (Z=sulfur) or Mo.sub.6Z.sup.1.sub.8-yZ.sup.2.sub.y (Z.sup.1=sulfur; Z.sup.2=selenium), and partially cuprated Cu.sub.1Mo.sub.6S.sub.8 as well as partially de-cuprated Cu.sub.1-xMg.sub.xMo.sub.6S.sub.8 and the precursors have a general formula of M.sub.xMo.sub.6Z.sub.8 or M.sub.xMo.sub.6Z.sup.1.sub.8-yZ.sup.2.sub.y, M=Cu. The cathode containing the Chevrel-phase material in accordance with the invention can be combined with a magnesium-containing anode and an electrolyte.

A method includes positioning a porous structure in a pressure cell; injecting an inert pressure medium within the pressure cell; and pressurizing the pressure cell to a pressure that thermodynamically favors a crystalline phase of the porous structure over an amorphous phase of the porous structure to transition the amorphous phase of the porous structure into the crystalline phase of the porous structure.

The present invention relates to a magnetic nanoparticle having a Curie temperature which is within a biocompatible temperature range, a method for preparing same, and a nanocomposite and a target substance detection composition comprising the magnetic nanoparticle. As the magnetic nanoparticle of the present invention has a Curie temperature within the temperature range of 0 degrees centigrade to 41 degrees centigrade, the ferromagnetic and paramagnetic properties of the magnetic nanoparticle may be controlled within a biocompatible temperature range at a temperature at which a biological control agent is not destroyed, and the temperature of the magnetic nanoparticle is adjusted to control the magnetic properties thereof such that the properties of the magnetic nanoparticle may be used only when ferromagnetic properties are required, such as in the case of signal amplification in detecting, separating, and delivering biological control agents. Accordingly, the magnetic nanoparticle of the present invention can minimize adverse effects of ferromagnetic properties thereof, and can be used in the effective detection and separation of biological control agents.

A method of making stable aqueous dispersions and concentrates of cobalt oxide nanoparticles is described, wherein a reaction mixture comprising cobalt(II) ion, a carboxylic acid, a base, an oxidant and water is formed, and in which cobalt oxide nanoparticles are formed. Cobalt oxide nanoparticles ranging in average crystallite size from about 4 nm to 15 nm are described. The cobalt oxide nanoparticles may be isolated and redispersed to form stable, homogeneous, aqueous dispersions of cobalt oxide nanoparticles containing from about 1 to about 20 weight percent cobalt oxide.

A composite containing phosphorus, lithium, iron, sulfur, and carbon as constituent elements wherein lithium sulfide (Li.sub.2S) is present in an amount of 90 mol % or more, and wherein the crystallite size calculated from the half-width of a diffraction peak based on the (111) plane of Li.sub.2S as determined by X-ray powder diffraction measurement is 80 nm or less. The composite exhibits a high capacity (in particular, a high discharge capacity) useful as an electrode active material for a lithium-ion secondary battery (in particular, a cathode active material for a lithium-ion secondary battery), without the need for stepwise pre-cycling treatment.

A method for preparing a niobium, titanium or vanadium metal oxide nanostructured material is provided. The method comprises providing an aqueous reagent comprising (i) a soluble metal oxalate, and/or (ii) oxalic acid and a metal oxide precursor, adding a buffering agent to the aqueous reagent to form a mixture, and heating the mixture under hydrothermal conditions to obtain the metal oxide nanostructured material. The metal oxide nanostructured material may also be doped with a dopant metal such as titanium to enhance capacity and cycling stability. An electrode comprising the metal oxide nanostructured material, and an electrochemical cell containing the electrode are also provided.

An iron-based oxide magnetic particle powder has a narrow particle size distribution a small content of fine particles that do not contribute to magnetic recording characteristics, and a narrow coercive force distribution, to enhance magnetic recording medium density. Neutralizing an aqueous solution containing a trivalent iron ion and an ion of the metal substituting a part of the Fe sites by adding an alkali to make pH of 1.5 or more and 2.5 or less, adding a hydroxycarboxylic acid, and further neutralizing by adding an alkali to make pH of 8.0 or more and 9.0 or less are performed at 5° C. or more and 25° C. or less. A formed iron oxyhydroxide precipitate containing the substituting metal element is rinsed with water, then coated with silicon oxide, and then heated thereby providing e-type iron-based oxide magnetic particle powder. The rinsed precipitate may be subjected to a hydrothermal treatment.

Transition-metal doped Li-rich anti-perovskite cathode compositions are provided herein. The Li-rich anti-perovskite cathode compositions have a chemical formula of Li.sub.(3-δ)M5/.sub.mBA, wherein 0<δ<3m/(m+1) and δ=3m/(m+1) is the maximum value for the transition metals doping, a chemical formula of Li.sub.4-δMs.sub.δ/mPC.sub.4A, wherein 0<δ≦4m/(m+1) and δ=4m/(m+1) is the maximum value for the transition metals doping, or a combination thereof, wherein M is a transition metal, B is a divalent anion, and A is a monovalent anion. Also provided herein, are methods of making the Li-rich anti-perovskite cathode compositions, and uses of the Li-rich anti-perovskite cathode compositions.