Abstract: A method of manufacturing metal hydroxides with high mass, and a method of manufacturing an ITO target are provided. A gas diffusion electrode 20 configured such that a hydrophobic gas diffusion layer 20a and a hydrophilic reaction layer 20b are laminated is installed in an electrolytic bath 1 to partition the electrolytic bath. An electrolytic solution S is stored in such a portion of a settling chamber 11 as to face the reaction layer of the partitioned electrolytic bath, and indium 4 is immersed in the electrolytic solution. A voltage is applied between a cathode defined by the gas diffusion electrode and an anode defined by indium. Oxygen is supplied into such a partitioned air chamber 10 as to face the gas diffusion layer to perform electrolysis. Indium hydroxides are thus deposited in the electrolytic solution.

Abstract: A clay composition for shaping noble metal is formed of a kneaded mixture of a mixed powder of noble metal having as main components thereof 30 to 70% by weight of a powder having an average particle diameter in the range of 2.2 to 3.0 ?m and 70 to 30% by weight of a powder having an average particle diameter in the range of 5 to 20 ?m with an aqueous solution of an organic binder.

Abstract: A clay composition for shaping noble metal is formed of a kneaded mixture of a mixed powder of noble metal having as main components thereof 30 to 70% by weight of a powder having an average particle diameter in the range of 2.2 to 3.0 &mgr;m and 70 to 30% by weight of a powder having an average particle diameter in the range of 5 to 20 &mgr;m with an aqueous solution of an organic binder.

Abstract: A sinter of noble metal produced by forming in a required shape or attaching to a given object a plastic art grade clayish composition or adhesion composition comprising a noble metal powder containing at least one member selected from the group consisting of pure noble metal powders and noble metal alloy powders, 0.022-3.0 wt. % of a water-soluble cellulose type resin, 0.02-3.0 wt. % of starch, or 0-0.5 wt. % of a reticular macromolecular substance formed by condensation of a component unit having phenyl propane as a backbone as an organic type binder, and water, drying to hardness the shaped composition or adhering composition, and sintering the hardened shaped composition or adhering composition at a temperature in the range of from the melting point of the noble metal and 70° C. lower than the melting point. A method for the production of the sinter of noble metal. A sinter of noble metal and an attached sinter of noble metal.

Abstract: A clayish composition for producing a molded article of noble metal consists essentially of a noble metal powder, starch and a water-soluble cellulose resin as organic binder and water. The contents of the starch and the water-soluble cellulose resin each fall in the range of 0.02-3.0% by weight, based on the total amount of the organic binder and the noble metal powder. A method for producing the sintered article of noble metal consists essentially of a step for producing the clayish composition mentioned above, a step of molding the clayish composition in a desired shape, a step of drying the molded article and a step of sintering the dried molded article.