Abstract: A composite oxide suitable for an active material of a positive electrode for a lithium secondary cell which can be used in a wide range of voltage, has a large electric capacity and excellent low temperature performance and is excellent in the durability for charge-discharge cycles and highly safe, a process for its production, and a positive electrode and a cell employing it, are presented. The composite oxide is a lithium-cobalt composite oxide which is represented by the formula LiCo1-xMxO2, (wherein 0?x?0.02 and M is at least one member selected from the group consisting of Ta, Ti, Nb, Zr and Hf), and which has a half-width of the diffraction peak for (110) face at 2?=66.5±1°, of from 0.070 to 0.180°, as measured by the X-ray diffraction using CuK? as a ray source.

Abstract: It is to provide a cathode active material powder for a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery, which has a large volume capacity density, high safety and excellent durability for charge and discharge cycles. A cathode active material powder for a lithium secondary battery characterized by comprising a first composite oxide powder represented by the formula (1) LipQxMyOzFa (wherein Q is Co or Mn, M is aluminum or an alkaline earth metal element or a transition metal element other than Q, provided that when Q is Co, 0.9?p?1.1, 0.980?x?1.000, 0?y?0.02, 1.9?z?2.1, x+y=1, and 0?a?0.02, and when Q is Mn, 1?p?1.3, x=2?y, 0?y?0.05, z=4, and a=0), having an average particle size D50 of from 5 to 30 ?m, and having a compression breaking strength of at least 40 MPa; and a second composite oxide powder represented by the formula (2) LipNixCoyMnzNqOrFa (wherein N is aluminum or an alkaline earth metal element or a transition metal element other than Ni, Co and Mn, 0.9?p?1.1, 0.2?x?0.8, 0?y?0.4, 0?z?0.

Abstract: To provide a process for producing a lithium-cobalt composite oxide for a positive electrode of a lithium secondary battery, which has a large volume capacity density, high safety, high charge and discharge cycle durability, high press density and high productivity. A process for producing a lithium-cobalt composite oxide represented by the formula LipCoxMyOzFa (wherein M is a transition metal element other than Co, or an alkaline earth metal element, 0.9?p?1.1, 0.980?x?1.000, 0?y?0.02, 1.9?z?2.1, x+y=1, and 0?a?0.02), characterized in that as a cobalt source, a mixture is used which comprises cobalt hydroxide in the form of substantially spherical secondary particles with an average particle size of from 8 to 20 ?m formed by agglomeration of primary particles and tricobalt tetroxide in the form of secondary particles with an average particle size of from 2 to 10 ?m formed by agglomeration of primary particles, in a cobalt atomic ratio of from 5:1 to 1:5, and firing is carried out at from 700 to 1,050° C.

Abstract: It is to provide a positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery, which has a large volume capacity density, high safety, excellent properties for uniform coating, excellent durability for charge and discharge cycles and low temperature characteristics even at a high charge voltage. A process for producing a lithium-containing composite oxide represented by the formula LipNxMmOzFa (wherein N is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn and Ni, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, alkaline earth metal elements and transition metal elements other than N, 0.9?p?1.2, 0.9?x<1.00, 0<m?0.03, 1.9?z?2.2, x+m=1 and 0?a?0.02), which comprises using a solution comprising a complex containing the M element (M element-containing complex) dissolved in an organic solvent, an N source and a lithium source, and if necessary, a fluorine source, by means of a mixing step, an organic solvent removal step and a firing step.

Abstract: To provide a polishing composition which has a high removal rate and enables to suppress occurrence of dishing and erosion, in polishing of a surface to be polished in the production of a semiconductor integrated circuit device. A chemical mechanical polishing composition for polishing a surface to be polished of a semiconductor integrated circuit device comprises (A) fine oxide particles, (B) pullulan, and (C) water. The polishing composition further contains (D) an oxidizing agent, and (E) a compound represented by the formula 1: wherein R is a hydrogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl group, a C1-4 alkoxy group or a carboxylic acid group.

Abstract: A positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery containing a lithium-cobalt composite oxide, which has a large volume capacity density, has a high safety and is excellent in charge and discharge cyclic durability, and its production process, are provided. A lithium-cobalt composite oxide represented by the formula LipCoxMyOzFa (wherein M is a transition metal element other than Co or an alkaline earth metal element, 0.9?p?1.1, 0.980?x?1.000, 0?y?0.02, 1.9?z?2.1, x+y=1 and 0?a?0.

Abstract: A lithium-containing composite oxide for a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery is prepared by formulating a powder mixture by impregnating an N element source powder having an average particle size (D50) ranging from 2 to 20 ?m with an aqueous solution of a carboxylic acid having a total of two or more carboxylic acid groups or carboxylic acid groups and hydroxyl groups in its molecule, and optionally, containing an M element, or its salt, and then drying the material obtained; and firing the N element powder material in admixture with a lithium source, optionally, an M element source and a fluorine source, at a temperature ranging from 700° C. to 1050° C.

Abstract: It is to provide a liquid crystal composition containing at least one type of optically active compounds of the following formulae (1) to (4), and a liquid crystal electro-optical element excellent in display quality.

Abstract: It is to provide a positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery, which has a large volume capacity density and high safety, is excellent in uniform coating properties and is excellent in the charge and discharge cyclic durability and low temperature characteristics even at a high charge voltage. A process for producing a lithium-containing composite oxide represented by the formula LipQqNxMyOzFa (wherein Q is at least one element selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, niobium and tantalum, N is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn and Ni, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, alkaline earth metal elements and transition metal elements other than the Q element and the N element, 0.9?p?1.1, 0<q?0.03, 0.97?x<1.00, 0?y<0.03, 1.9?z?2.1, q+x+y=1 and 0?a?0.

Abstract: Coagulated particles of nickel-cobalt-manganese hydroxide wherein primary particles are coagulated to form secondary particles are synthesized by allowing an aqueous solution of a nickel-cobalt-manganese salt, an aqueous solution of an alkali-metal hydroxide, and an ammonium-ion donor to react under specific conditions; and a lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese-containing composite oxide represented by a general formula, LipNixMn1-x-yCoyO2-qFq (where 0.98?p?1.07, 0.3?x?0.5, 0.1?y?0.38, and 0?q?0.05), which is a positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary cell having a wide usable voltage range, a charge-discharge cycle durability, a high capacity and high safety, is obtained by dry-blending coagulated particles of nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxyhydroxide formed by making an oxidant to act on the coagulated particles with a lithium salt, and firing the mixture in an oxygen-containing atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the quality of abrasive grains for polishing glass, which comprises adding abrasive grains to be measured, to an aqueous medium having silica dissolved therein, to have the silica adsorbed on the abrasive grains under such a condition that the silica undergoes substantially no polymerization in the aqueous medium, followed by solid-liquid separation to separate the abrasive grains from the mother liquor, and measuring the concentration of silica remaining in the mother liquor to measure the adsorption rate (?) of silica on the abrasive grains.

Abstract: A particulate positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary cell which satisfies high charge and discharge cyclic durability, high safety, high temperature storage properties, a high discharge average voltage, large current discharge properties, a high weight capacity density, a high volume capacity density, etc. in a well-balanced manner is provided. A particulate positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary cell, which is represented by the formula LipCoxMyOzFa (wherein M is at least one element selected from Groups 2 to 8, 13 and 14 of the Periodic Table, 0.9?p?1.1, 0.980?x?0.9999, 0.0001?y?0.02, 1.9?z?2.1, 0.9?x+y?1 and 0.0001?a?0.02), wherein fluorine atoms and element M are unevenly distributed on the particle surface, the atomic ratio of fluorine atoms to cobalt atoms (a/x) is from 0.0001 to 0.02, and in powder X-ray diffraction using CuK?-ray, the half value width of the angle of diffraction on (110) plane is from 0.06 to 0.

Abstract: There is obtained an active material for a lithium secondary battery that has a wide usable voltage range, a high charge-discharge cycle durability, a high capacity and high safety and availability. The particles of a lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese-fluorine-containing composite oxide having an R-3m rhombohedral structure represented by a general formula LipNixMn1-x-yCoyO2-qFq (where 0.98?p?1.07, 0.3?x?0.5, 0.1?y?0.38, and 0?q?0.05), and the particles of the lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese-fluorine-containing composite oxide characterized in that the half-width of the diffraction peak of a (110) plane whose 2? is 65±0.5° in the X-ray diffraction using a Cu—K? line is, 0.12 to 0.25° are used as an active substance for a positive electrode.

Abstract: To provide a lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide powder for a positive electrode of a lithium secondary battery, which has a large volume capacity density and high safety and is excellent in the charge and discharge cyclic durability. A positive electrode active material powder for a lithium secondary battery characterized by comprising a first granular powder having a compression breaking strength of at least 50 MPa and a second granular powder having a compression breaking strength of less than 40 MPa, formed by agglomeration of many fine particles of a lithium composite oxide represented by the formula LipNixCoyMnzMqO2-aFa (wherein M is a transition metal element other than Ni, Co and Mn, Al or an alkaline earth metal element, 0.9?p?1.1, 0.2?x?0.8, 0?x?0.4, 0?z?0.5, y+z>0, 0?q?0.05, 1.9?2?a?2.1, x+y+z+q=1, and 0?a?0.02) to have an average particle size D50 of from 3 to 15 ?m, in a weight ratio of the first granular powder/the second granular powder being from 50/50 to 90/10.

Abstract: There is obtained a material of a positive electrode for a secondary lithium-ion cell having high cycle durability and high safety in high-voltage and high-capacity applications, which is a particulate positive electrode active material for a secondary lithium-ion cell represented by a general formula, LiaCObAcBdOeFf (A is Al or Mg, B is a group-IV transition element, 0.90?a?1.10, 0.97?b?1.00, 0.0001?c?0.03, 0.0001?d?0.03, 1.98?e?2.02, 0?f?0.02, and 0.0001?c+d?0.03), where element A, element B and fluorine are evenly present in the vicinity of the particle surfaces.

Abstract: A lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide powder for a positive electrode of a lithium secondary battery, which has a large volume capacity density and high safety and is excellent in the charge and discharge cyclic durability, is presented. It is a lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide powder for a lithium secondary battery, represented by the formula LipNixCoyMnzMqO2-aFa (wherein M is a transition metal element other than Ni, Co or Mn, or an alkaline earth metal element, 0.9?p?1.1, 0.2?x?0.5, 0.1?y?0.4, 0.2?z?0.5, 0?q?0.05, 1.9?2-a?2.1, x+y+z+q=1, and 0?a?0.02). The lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide is an agglomerated granular composite oxide powder having an average particle size D50 of from 3 to 15 ?m, formed by agglomeration of many fine particles, and the compression breaking strength of the powder is at least 50 MPa.

Abstract: To provide a process for producing a lithium-cobalt composite oxide for a positive electrode of a lithium secondary battery excellent in volume capacity density, safety, charge and discharge cyclic durability, press density and productivity, by using in expensive cobalt hydroxide and lithium carbonate. A mixture having a cobalt hydroxide powder and a lithium carbonate powder mixed so that the atomic ratio of lithium/cobalt would be from 0.98 to 1.01, is fired in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at from 250 to 700° C., and the fired product is further fired in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at from 850 to 1,050° C., or such a mixture is heated at a temperature-raising rate of at most 4° C./min in a range from 250 to 600° C. and fired in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at from 850 to 1,050° C.

Abstract: To provide a process for producing a lithium-cobalt composite oxide for a positive electrode of a lithium secondary battery, which has a large volume capacity density, high safety, high charge and discharge cycle durability, high press density and high productivity. A process for producing a lithium-cobalt composite oxide represented by the formula LipCoxMyOzFa (wherein M is a transition metal element other than Co, or an alkaline earth metal element, O.9?p?1.1, 0.980?x?1.000, 0?y?0.02, 1.9?z?2.1, x+y=1, and 0?a?0.02), characterized in that as a cobalt source, a mixture is used which comprises cobalt hydroxide in the form of substantially spherical secondary particles with an average particle size of from 8 to 20 ?m formed by agglomeration of primary particles and tricobalt tetroxide in the form of secondary particles with an average particle size of from 2 to 10 ?m formed by agglomeration of primary particles, in a cobalt atomic ratio of from 5:1 to 1:5, and firing is carried out at from 700 to 1,050° C.

Abstract: An insulating film comprising an organic silicon material having a C—Si bond and a Si—O bond is used for a semiconductor integrated circuit, and for polishing of its surface, a polishing compound comprising water and particles of at least one specific rare earth compound selected from the group consisting of a rare earth oxide, a rare earth fluoride, a rare earth oxyfluoride, a rare earth oxide except cerium oxide and a composite compound thereof, or a polishing compound having the above composition and further containing cerium oxide particles, is used. It is possible to provide a high quality polished surface which is free from or has reduced defects such as cracks, scratches or film peeling.

Abstract: A polishing compound for chemical mechanical polishing of a substrate, which comprises (A) abrasive grains, (B) an aqueous medium, (C) tartaric acid, (D) trishydroxymethylaminomethane and (E) at least one member selected from the group consisting of malonic acid and maleic acid, and more preferably, which further contains a compound having a function to form a protective film on the wiring metal surface to prevent dishing at the wiring metal portion, such as benzotriazole. By use of this polishing compound, the copper wirings on the surface of a semiconductor integrated circuit board can be polished at a high removal rate while suppressing formation of scars as defects in a polishing step.