Novel methods for processing fumed metallic oxides into globular metallic oxide agglomerates are provided. The methodology may allow for fumed metallic oxide particles, such as fumed silica and fumed alumina particles, to be processed into a globular morphology to improve handling while retaining a desirable surface area. The processes may include providing fumed metallic oxide particles, combining the particles with a liquid carrier to form a suspension, atomizing the solution of suspended particles, and subjecting the atomized droplets to a temperature range sufficient to remove the liquid carrier from the droplets, to produce metallic oxide-containing agglomerations.

Provided are an atomic layer sheet that contains boron and oxygen as framework elements, is networked by nonequilibrium couplings having boron-boron bonds, and has a molar ratio of oxygen to boron (oxygen/boron) of less than 1.5, a laminated sheet containing a plurality of such atomic layer sheets and metal ions between ones of the sheets, and a thermotropic liquid crystal and a lyotropic liquid crystal containing these. In addition, there is provided a method for manufacturing an atomic layer sheet and/or a laminated sheet containing boron and oxygen, the method including: adding MBH.sub.4, where M represents an alkali metal ion, into a solvent containing an organic solvent in an inert gas atmosphere to prepare a solution; and exposing the solution to an atmosphere containing oxygen.

A material including a body including B.sub.6O.sub.X can include lattice constant c of at most 12.318. X can be at least 0.85 and at most 1. In a particular embodiment, 0.90≤X≤1. In another particular embodiment, lattice constant a can be at least 5.383 and lattice constant c can be at most 12.318. In another particular embodiment, the body can consist essentially of B.sub.6O.sub.X.

Provided are an atomic layer sheet that contains boron and oxygen as framework elements, is networked by nonequilibrium couplings having boron-boron bonds, and has a molar ratio of oxygen to boron (oxygen/boron) of less than 1.5, a laminated sheet containing a plurality of such atomic layer sheets and metal ions between ones of the sheets, and a thermotropic liquid crystal and a lyotropic liquid crystal containing these. In addition, there is provided a method for manufacturing an atomic layer sheet and/or a laminated sheet containing boron and oxygen, the method including: adding MBH.sub.4, where M represents an alkali metal ion, into a solvent containing an organic solvent in an inert gas atmosphere to prepare a solution; and exposing the solution to an atmosphere containing oxygen.

To provide an electrolyte for a storage device capable of lowering the electric resistance and maintaining a high capacity even after charging and discharging are repeatedly carried out, and a storage device. An electrolyte for a storage device, which comprises a lithium-containing complex compound represented by the following formula (1), (2), (3), (4) or (5):
(Li).sub.m(A).sub.n(UF.sub.x).sub.y  (1)
(Li).sub.m(Si).sub.n(O).sub.q(UF.sub.x).sub.y  (2)
wherein A is O, S, P or N; U is a boron atom or a phosphorus atom; m and n are each independently from 1 to 6; q is from 1 to 12; x is 3 or 5; and y is from 1 to 6;
(Li).sub.m(O).sub.n(B).sub.p(OWF.sub.q).sub.x  (3)
wherein W is a boron atom or a phosphorus atom; m, p and x are each independently from 1 to 15; n is from 0 to 15; and q is 3 or 5;
(Li).sub.m(B).sub.p(O).sub.n(OR).sub.y(OWF.sub.q).sub.x  (4)
wherein W is a boron atom or a phosphorus atom; n is from 0 to 15; p, m, x and y are each independently from 1 to 12; q is 3 or 5; and R is hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, a carbonyl group, a sulfonyl group or a silyl group, and such a group may have a fluorine atom, an oxygen atom or other substituent;
(Li).sub.m(O).sub.n(B).sub.p(OOC-(A).sub.z-COO).sub.y(OWF.sub.q).sub.x  (5)
wherein W is a boron atom or a phosphorus atom, A is a C.sub.1-6 allylene group, alkenylene group or alkynylene group, a phenylene group, or an alkylene group having an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom in its main chain; m, p, x and y are each independently from 1 to 20; n is from 0 to 15; z is 0 or 1; and q is 3 or 5.

To provide an electrolyte for a storage device capable of lowering the electric resistance and maintaining a high capacity even after charging and discharging are repeatedly carried out, and a storage device.

An electrolyte for a storage device, which comprises a lithium-containing complex compound represented by the following formula (1), (2), (3), (4) or (5):

(Li).sub.m(A).sub.n(UF.sub.x).sub.y  (1)

(Li).sub.m(Si).sub.n(O).sub.q(UF.sub.x).sub.y  (2)

wherein A is O, S, P or N; U is a boron atom or a phosphorus atom; m and n are each independently from 1 to 6; q is from 1 to 12; x is 3 or 5; and y is from 1 to 6;

(Li).sub.m(O).sub.n(B).sub.p(OWF.sub.q).sub.x  (3)

wherein W is a boron atom or a phosphorus atom; m, p and x are each independently from 1 to 15; n is from 0 to 15; and q is 3 or 5;

(Li).sub.m(B).sub.p(O).sub.n(OR).sub.y(OWF.sub.q).sub.x  (4)

wherein W is a boron atom or a phosphorus atom; n is from 0 to 15; p, m, x and y are each independently from 1 to 12; q is 3 or 5; and R is hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, a carbonyl group, a sulfonyl group or a silyl group, and such a group may have a fluorine atom, an oxygen atom or other substituent;

(Li).sub.m(O).sub.n(B)dp(OOC-(A).sub.z-COO).sub.y(OWF.sub.q).sub.x  (5)

wherein W is a boron atom or a phosphorus atom, A is a C.sub.1-6 allylene group, alkenylene group or alkynylene group, a phenylene group, or an alkylene group having an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom in its main chain; m, p, x and y are each independently from 1 to 20; n is from 0 to 15; z is 0 or 1; and q is 3 or 5.

A method of making boron oxide nanoparticles. The method can comprise sonochemically treating a composition comprising a boron oxide to form boron oxide nanoparticles. The method allows for the formation of these nanoparticles from non-toxic, inexpensive reagents and ambient reaction conditions. Additionally, the nanoparticles produced by the teachings described herein can be easily surface functionalized.

The present invention related to the technical field of sodium ion batteries, and particularly related to a mono-crystalline cathode material for sodium-ion battery and a preparation method and battery thereof. The mono-crystalline cathode material for sodium-ion battery has a chemical composition formula of Na.sub.1+aNi.sub.1xyzMn.sub.xFe.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.2, wherein 0.40a0.25, 0.08x0.5, 0.05y0.5, 0z0.26, the M is one or a combination of two or more selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zn, Co, Mn, Al, Zr, Y, Ca, Li, Rb, Cs, W, Ce, Mo, Ba, Mg, Ta, Nb, V, Sc, Sr, B, F, P or Cu elements. The mono-crystalline cathode material for sodium-ion battery has a specific chemical composition, a mono crystal morphology and good structural stability and integrity. Particle fragmentation can not be produced in the cyclic process, and meanwhile, the cyclic stability of the sodium-ion battery can be improved.

A positive electrode active material includes: a particle including a lithium composite oxide; a first layer that is provided on a surface of the particle and includes a lithium composite oxide; and a second layer that is provided on a surface of the first layer. The lithium composite oxide included in the particle and the lithium composite oxide included in the first layer have the same composition or almost the same composition, the second layer includes an oxide or a fluoride, and the lithium composite oxide included in the first layer has lower crystallinity than the lithium composite oxide included in the particle.

To provide an electrolyte for a storage device capable of lowering the electric resistance and maintaining a high capacity even after charging and discharging are repeatedly carried out, and a storage device.

An electrolyte for a storage device, which comprises a lithium-containing complex compound represented by the following formula (1), (2), (3), (4) or (5):

(Li).sub.m(A).sub.n(UF.sub.x).sub.y(1)

(Li).sub.m(Si).sub.n(O).sub.q(UF.sub.x).sub.y(2)

wherein A is O, S, P or N; U is a boron atom or a phosphorus atom; m and n are each independently from 1 to 6; q is from 1 to 12; x is 3 or 5; and y is from 1 to 6;

(Li).sub.m(O).sub.n(B).sub.p(OWF.sub.q).sub.x(3)

wherein W is a boron atom or a phosphorus atom; m, p and x are each independently from 1 to 15; n is from 0 to 15; and q is 3 or 5;

(Li).sub.m(B).sub.p(O)n(OR).sub.y(OWF.sub.q).sub.x(4)

wherein W is a boron atom or a phosphorus atom; n is from 0 to 15; p, m, x and y are each independently from 1 to 12; q is 3 or 5; and R is hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, a carbonyl group, a sulfonyl group or a silyl group, and such a group may have a fluorine atom, an oxygen atom or other substituent;

(Li).sub.m(O).sub.n(B).sub.p(OOC-(A).sub.z-COO).sub.y(OWF.sub.q).sub.x(5)

wherein W is a boron atom or a phosphorus atom, A is a C.sub.1-6 allylene group, alkenylene group or alkynylene group, a phenylene group, or an alkylene group having an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom in its main chain; m, p, x and y are each independently from 1 to 20; n is from 0 to 15; z is 0 or 1; and q is 3 or 5.