Abstract: A high temperature storage battery comprises a plurality of panels forming a housing defining a cell storage cavity, heat insulating material in or adjacent the panels, and a non-aqueous high temperature electrochemical cell within the cell storage cavity. It also includes holding means for holding a dispersable protective substance. The holding means is adapted to discharge protective substance into the cavity on the temperature in the cavity exceeding a predetermined temperature, and/or on rupturing thereof.

Abstract: A tin(IV) oxide dispersion is prepared by peptising metastannic acid with amine peptising agent such as n-butylamine or cyclohexylamine. The dispesion may be a sol or an intermediate convertible to a sol, and may include other components such as metal oxides or their precursors, e.g. one or more of a high surface area alumina and transition metal oxides such as copper(II) oxide and chromium (VI) oxide. The dispersion may be converted to a gel and then to a ceramic, optionally after the sol has been contacted with a substrate, for example to produce a catalyst. Further coatings may be applied to produce a catalyst comprising a mixture of tin(IV) oxide and chromium(VI) oxide on the substrate which may be effective as an oxidation catalyst and useful in the treatment of vehicle exhaust emissions.

Abstract: This invention relates to aluminium compounds and their preparation.In accordance with the invention a peptizable alumina hydrate is prepared by hydrolyzing an aluminium alkoxide at a water:aluminium ratio at or near the stoichiometric value. One example of an aluminium alkoxide which has been hydrolyzed in accordance with the present invention is aluminium sec-butoxide (Al(OC.sub.4 H.sub.9).sub.3.sup.s); thus alkoxide has been hydrolyzed at water:aluminium ratios of 3:1 and 4:1 to give peptizable alumina hydrates.Cold water (e.g. at 16.degree.-22.degree. C.) and aluminium alkoxide are preferably brought together to effect the hydrolysis.

Abstract: A substrate is provided with a refractory oxide coating by contacting the substrate with a dispersion of a solid particulate phase in a liquid phase, subsequently followed by firing to produce the coating, the dispersion comprising at least a first and a second refractory oxide component.In order to produce a coating of controlled purity, e.g. for certain catalytic, electronic or other appications, the first refractory oxide component (e.g. an alumina) is obtained from a purifiable liquid or solid precursor therefor and constitutes part at least of the solid phase, and the second refractory oxide component is either obtained from a purifiable liquid or solid precursor therefor and constitutes part of the solid phase or is a purifiable liquid precursor (e.g. a water-soluble silicone) constituting part at least of the liquid phase.