These surface-modified metal compound particles have metal compound particles the surfaces of which are modified by: at least one first carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of a methacrylic acid, an acrylic acid, and a propionic acid; and at least one second carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of a C6-C16 fatty acid and a C7-C32 monovalent carboxylic acid having at least one benzene ring, wherein at least a portion of the first carboxylic acid is a carboxylic acid type in which a hydrogen atom of the carboxy group is not dissociated as an ion.

A method comprising providing a sol comprising a solvent; contacting the sol with a precipitation initiator to initiate precipitation of the sol, wherein the precipitation initiator is different to the solvent; and applying the precipitating sol to a product. The methods of the invention may be used with sols comprising a solvent, a metal alkoxide, and optionally a biopolymer and/or a catalyst, with alkoxides comprising metals, organically modified alkoxides comprising metals, alkoxides comprising metalloids, and organically modified alkoxides comprising metalloids all being encompassed by the term ‘metal alkoxide’. Also disclosed is an apparatus for use in the method comprising a first storage vessel; a second storage vessel; one or more pumps; and one or more delivery means.

Compositions, methods and apparatus for trioxidane disinfection. The compositions may contain trioxidane in microbicidal concentrations of trioxidane effective for disinfection of surfaces. The apparatus may be used to produce the compositions. The apparatus may be used to deliver the compositions. The apparatus may be used to perform one or more steps of the methods. The methods may include methods for disinfection with the trioxidane compositions produced in or delivered via one or more of the apparatus.

Provided is a method for producing an inorganic oxide in the form of a thin film, the method including a step of bringing a first liquid and a second liquid into contact with each other, the first liquid having an inorganic oxide precursor dissolved therein, the second liquid phase-separating from the first liquid and having a substance dissolved therein, the substance reacting with the inorganic oxide precursor of the first liquid to form an inorganic oxide derived from the inorganic oxide precursor. The segment size of the first liquid at the time of contact between the first and second liquids is 500 μm or smaller.

These surface-modified metal compound particles have metal compound particles the surfaces of which are modified by: at least one first carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of a methacrylic acid, an acrylic acid, and a propionic acid; and at least one second carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of a C6-C16 fatty acid and a C7-C32 monovalent carboxylic acid having at least one benzene ring, wherein at least a portion of the first carboxylic acid is a carboxylic acid type in which a hydrogen atom of the carboxy group is not dissociated as an ion.

Provided is a method for producing an inorganic oxide in the form of a thin film, the method including a step of bringing a first liquid and a second liquid into contact with each other, the first liquid having an inorganic oxide precursor dissolved therein, the second liquid phase-separating from the first liquid and having a substance dissolved therein, the substance reacting with the inorganic oxide precursor of the first liquid to form an inorganic oxide derived from the inorganic oxide precursor. The segment size of the first liquid at the time of contact between the first and second liquids is 500 m or smaller.

A method of producing an oxide of manganese including reacting, in a first aqueous solution, a manganese salt and an alkali agent to form manganese hydroxide; separating the manganese hydroxide from the first solution; mixing the manganese hydroxide into an aqueous medium to form a manganese hydroxide suspension; mixing the manganese hydroxide suspension with alkali metal hydroxide to form a second aqueous solution; and oxidizing the manganese hydroxide in the second aqueous solution to form an oxide of manganese. The dried oxide of manganese includes birnessite, a maximum of 20% hausmannite, and a maximum of 10% feitknechtite, may further include a maximum of 400 ppm of anions, may have a specific surface area of at least 25 m.sup.2/g, and may have an average oxidation state of greater than 3.5.

A method of producing an oxide of manganese including reacting, in a first aqueous solution, a manganese salt and an alkali agent to form manganese hydroxide; separating the manganese hydroxide from the first solution; mixing the manganese hydroxide into an aqueous medium to form a manganese hydroxide suspension; mixing the manganese hydroxide suspension with alkali metal hydroxide to form a second aqueous solution; and oxidizing the manganese hydroxide in the second aqueous solution to form an oxide of manganese. The dried oxide of manganese includes birnessite, a maximum of 20% hausmannite, and a maximum of 10% feitknechtite, may further include a maximum of 400 ppm of anions, may have a specific surface area of at least 25 m2/g, and may have an average oxidation state of greater than 3.5.

A gas atomization apparatus is disclosed for producing high purity fine refractory compound powders. After the system reaches high vacuum, a first stage inert atomizing gas breaks superheated metal melt into droplets and a second stage reactive atomizing gas breaks the droplets further into ultrafine droplets while reacts with them to form refractory compound powders. The first stage atomizing gas is inert gas able to break up melt into droplets and prevent crust formation on the nozzle front. A reaction time enhancer is arranged at bottom of reaction chamber to furnish a reactive gas flow in a reverse direction of the falling droplets and powders. Under the reverse gas flow, the falling droplets and powders change moving direction and travel longer distance in reaction chamber to increase reaction time. This apparatus can produce refractory powders with ultrahigh purity and uniform powder size while maintain high process energy efficiency.

A process for preparing a mesoporous metal oxide, i.e., transition metal oxide. Lanthanide metal oxide, a post-transition metal oxide and metalloid oxide. The process comprises providing an acidic mixture comprising a metal precursor, an interface modifier, a hydrotropic ion precursor, and a surfactant; and heating the acidic mixture at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to form the mesoporous metal oxide. A mesoporous metal oxide prepared by the above process. A method of controlling nano-sized wall crystallinity and mesoporosity in mesoporous metal oxides. The method comprises providing an acidic mixture comprising a metal precursor, an interface modifier, a hydrotropic ion precursor, and a surfactant; and heating the acidic mixture at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to control nano-sized wall crystallinity and mesoporosity in the mesoporous metal oxides. Mesoporous metal oxides and a method of tuning structural properties of mesoporous metal oxides.