Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a positive electrode mixture capable of conducting stable charging and discharging with a less amount of gasses generated which has an operating voltage or an initial crystal phase transition voltage of not less than 4.5 V on the basis of lithium. The present invention relates to a positive electrode mixture comprising carbon black having a bulk density of not more than 0.1 g/cm3, a crystallite size of 10 to 40 ?, an iodine adsorption of 1 to 150 mg/g, a volatile content of not more than 0.1% and a metal impurity content of not more than 20 ppm, and a positive electrode active substance having an operating voltage or an initial crystal phase transition voltage of not less than 4.5 V on the basis of lithium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Li-Ni composite oxide particles that exhibit a high initial discharge capacity and are excellent in thermal stability when used as a positive electrode active substance for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, and a process for producing the Li-Nicomposite oxide particles. The Li-Ni composite oxide particles of the present invention have a composition of LixNi1?y?a?bCoyM1aM2bO2 wherein x, y, a and b represent 1.00?x?1.10; 0<y?0.25; 0<a?0.25; and 0?b?0.10, respectively; M1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al and Mn; and M2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zr and Mg, in which a product of a metal occupancy (%) of lithium sites of the Li-Ni composite oxide as determined by Rietveld analysis of X-ray diffraction thereof and a crystallite size (nm) of the Li-Ni composite oxide as determined by the Rietveld analysis is not less than 700 and not more than 1400.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a positive electrode mixture capable of conducting stable charging and discharging with a less amount of gasses generated which has an operating voltage or an initial crystal phase transition voltage of not less than 4.5 V on the basis of lithium. The present invention relates to a positive electrode mixture comprising carbon black having a bulk density of not more than 0.1 g/cm3, a crystallite size of 10 to 40 ?, an iodine adsorption of 1 to 150 mg/g, a volatile content of not more than 0.1% and a metal impurity content of not more than 20 ppm, and a positive electrode active substance having an operating voltage or an initial crystal phase transition voltage of not less than 4.5 V on the basis of lithium.

Abstract: Positive electrode active substance particles including a compound having at least a crystal system belonging to a space group of R?3m and a crystal system belonging to a space group of C2/m, and boron. The compound is a composite oxide comprising at least Li, Mn, and Co and/or Ni; a relative intensity ratio [(a)/(b)] of a maximum diffraction peak intensity (a) observed at 2?=20.8±1° in a powder X-ray diffraction pattern of the positive electrode active substance as measured using a Cu-Ku ray to a maximum diffraction peak intensity (b) observed at 2?=18.6±1° in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern, is 0.02 to 0.5; a content of Mn in the positive electrode active substance particles such that a molar ratio of Mn/(Ni+Co+Mn) is not less than 0.55; and the positive electrode active substance particles include boron in an amount of 0.001 to 3% by weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Li—Ni composite oxide particles that exhibit a high initial discharge capacity and are excellent in thermal stability when used as a positive electrode active substance for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, and a process for producing the Li—Ni composite oxide particles. The Li—Ni composite oxide particles of the present invention have a composition of LixNi1-y-a-bCoyM1aM2bO2 wherein x, y, a and b represent 1.00?x?1.10; 0<y?0.25; 0<a?0.25; and 0?b?0.10, respectively; M1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al and Mn; and M2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zr and Mg, in which a product of a metal occupancy (%) of lithium sites of the Li—Ni composite oxide as determined by Rietveld analysis of X-ray diffraction thereof and a crystallite size (nm) of the Li—Ni composite oxide as determined by the Rietveld analysis is not less than 700 and not more than 1400.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Li—Ni-based composite oxide particles comprising Mn, and Co and/or Al, wherein Co and Al are uniformly dispersed within the particles, and Mn is present with a gradient of its concentration in a radial direction of the respective particles such that a concentration of Mn on a surface of the respective particles is higher than that at a central portion thereof. The Li—Ni-based composite oxide particles can be produced by allowing an oxide and a hydroxide comprising Mn to mechanically adhere to Li—Ni-based oxide comprising Co and/or Al; and then heat-treating the obtained material at a temperature of not lower than 400° C. and not higher than 1,000° C. The Li—Ni-based composite oxide particles of the present invention are improved in thermal stability and alkalinity.

Abstract: Li—Ni composite oxide particles for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery with a large charge/discharge capacity and excellent thermal stability in a charged condition. The Li—Ni composite oxide secondary particles form core particles having a composition Lix1Ni1-y1-z1-w1Coy1Mnz1Mw1O2 in which 0.9?x1?1.3; 0.1?y1?0.3; 0.0?z1?0.3; 0?w1?0.1; and M is Al or Fe. The Li—Ni composite oxide has a composition Lix2Ni1-y2-z2-w2Coy2Mnz2Mw2O2 in which 0.9?x2?1+z2; 0?y2?0.33; 0?z2?0.5; 0?w2?0.1; and M is Al, Fe, Mg, Zr or Ti and is coated or present on a surface of the secondary particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Li—Ni-based composite oxide particles comprising Mn, and Co and/or Al, wherein Co and Al are uniformly dispersed within the particles, and Mn is present with a gradient of its concentration in a radial direction of the respective particles such that a concentration of Mn on a surface of the respective particles is higher than that at a central portion thereof. The Li—Ni-based composite oxide particles can be produced by allowing an oxide and a hydroxide comprising Mn to mechanically adhere to Li—Ni-based oxide comprising Co and/or Al; and then heat-treating the obtained material at a temperature of not lower than 400° C. and not higher than 1,000° C. The Li—Ni-based composite oxide particles of the present invention are improved in thermal stability and alkalinity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to positive electrode active substance particles comprising a compound having at least a crystal system belonging to a space group of R?3m and a crystal system belonging to a space group of C2/m, and boron, wherein the compound is a composite oxide comprising at least Li, Mn, and Co and/or Ni; a relative intensity ratio [(a)/(b)] of a maximum diffraction peak intensity (a) observed at 2?=20.8±1° in a powder X-ray diffraction pattern of the positive electrode active substance as measured using a Cu-Ka ray to a maximum diffraction peak intensity (b) observed at 2?=18.6±1° in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern, is 0.02 to 0.5; a content of Mn in the positive electrode active substance particles is controlled such that a molar ratio of Mn/(Ni+Co+Mn) therein is not less than 0.55; and the positive electrode active substance particles comprise the boron in an amount of 0.001 to 3% by weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Li—Ni composite oxide particles for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell which have a large charge/discharge capacity, an excellent packing density and excellent storage performance. The Li—Ni composite oxide particles for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell which have a composition represented by the formula: LixNi1-y-zCoyAlz02 in which 0.9<x<1.3; 0.1<y<0.3; and 0<z<0.3, wherein the composite oxide particles have a rate of change in specific surface area of not more than 10% as measured between before and after applying a pressure of 1 t/cm2 thereto, and a sulfate ion content of not more than 1.0%, can be produced by mixing Ni—Co hydroxide particles having a sulfate ion content of not more than 1.0% whose surface is coated with an Al compound having a primary particle diameter of not more than 1 ?m, with a lithium compound; and calcining the resulting mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Li—Ni-based composite oxide particles comprising Mn, and Co and/or Al, wherein Co and Al are uniformly dispersed within the particles, and Mn is present with a gradient of its concentration in a radial direction of the respective particles such that a concentration of Mn on a surface of the respective particles is higher than that at a central portion thereof. The Li—Ni-based composite oxide particles can be produced by allowing an oxide and a hydroxide comprising Mn to mechanically adhere to Li—Ni-based oxide comprising Co and/or Al; and then heat-treating the obtained material at a temperature of not lower than 400° C. and not higher than 1,000° C. The Li—Ni-based composite oxide particles of the present invention are improved in thermal stability and alkalinity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Li—Ni composite oxide particles for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery which have a large charge/discharge capacity and are excellent in thermal stability under a charged condition. The above object can be achieved by the Li—Ni composite oxide particles for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, comprising a Li—Ni composite oxide whose secondary particles form core particles thereof and have a composition represented by the formula: Lix1Ni1-y1-z1-w1Coy1Mnz1Mw1O2 (in which 0.9?x1?1.3; 0.1?y1?0.3; 0.0?z1?0.3; 0?w1?0.1; and M is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Al and Fe), wherein a Li—Ni composite oxide having a composition represented by the formula: Lix2Ni1-y2-z2-w2Coy2Mnz2Mw2O2 (in which 0.9?x2?1+z2; 0?y2?0.33; 0?z2?0.5; 0?w2?0.1; and M is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Al, Fe, Mg, Zr and Ti, is coated or present on a surface of the respective secondary particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Li—Ni composite oxide particles for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell which have a large charge/discharge capacity, an excellent packing density and excellent storage performance. The Li—Ni composite oxide particles for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell which have a composition represented by the formula: LixNi1-y-zCoyAlz02 in which 0.9<x<1.3; 0.1<y<0.3; and 0<z<0.3, wherein the composite oxide particles have a rate of change in specific surface area of not more than 10% as measured between before and after applying a pressure of 1 t/cm2 thereto, and a sulfate ion content of not more than 1.0%, can be produced by mixing Ni—Co hydroxide particles having a sulfate ion content of not more than 1.0% whose surface is coated with an Al compound having a primary particle diameter of not more than 1 ?m, with a lithium compound; and calcining the resulting mixture.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium comprises a polymer film substrate having an elongated shape or a polymer flexible substrate; an underlayer having a thickness of less than 10 nm, which is formed on the substrate; and a magnetic recording layer comprising a spinel iron oxide thin film containing maghemite as a main component, which is formed on the underlayer and has a coercive force of not less than 159 kA/m (2000 Oe). The present invention provides the magnetic recording medium comprising a spinel iron oxide thin film containing maghemite as a main component, which exhibits an excellent recording resolution performance while maintaining a high coercive force and a high coercive force squareness.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium, comprises a substrate; a soft-magnetic layer formed on the substrate; an NaCl-type oxide layer for orientation control formed on the soft-magnetic layer, having a thickness of from more than 0 to less than 10 nm; and a magnetic recording layer formed on the NaCl-type oxide layer for orientation control, comprising a maghemite thin film. Such a perpendicular magnetic recording medium is capable of showing excellent magnetic properties, a high recording resolution and improved surface properties.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium exhibiting a high coercive force and excellent squareness having a substrate, an underlayer formed on the substrate, and a spinel-type iron oxide thin film with maghemite as a main component formed on the underlayer. The spinel-type iron oxide thin film has a thickness (t) of 5 to 50 nm, is constituted by grains having an average grain size (D) of 5 to 30 nm, standard deviation of sizes of grain of not more than 4 nm and a ratio (D/t) of the average grain size (D) to the thickness (t) of less than 1.0, exhibits a coercive force of not less than 159 kA/m (2,000 Oe) and a coercive squareness ratio S* of not less than 0.5:1 in a longitudinal recording medium or a squareness ratio not less than 0.75:1 in a perpendicular recording medium.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium including a substrate and formed on the substrate a maghemite thin film having a surface roughness represented by a center line mean roughness Ra of 0.1 to 1.0 nm, and a coercive force squareness S* value of not less than 0.50. This magnetic recording medium exhibits excellent magnetic properties, especially, coercive force squareness S* value and a more enhanced surface smoothness.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium, comprises a substrate; and a Co-containing spinel-type iron oxide thin film formed on the substrate, having a Co content of 1 to 20 mol % based on Fe, a coercive force value of not less than 159 kA/m (2,000 Oe), a thickness of 5 to 200 nm, a center line average height Ra of 0.1 to 0.8 nm and a maximum height (Rmax) of not more than 10 nm. The magnetic recording medium is capable of exhibiting a relatively high coercive force, especially a coercive force of not less than 159 kA/m (2,000 Oe) despite as small a film thickness as not more than 200 nm, and an excellent surface smoothness.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium, comprises a substrate; a soft-magnetic layer formed on the substrate; an NaCl-type oxide layer for orientation control formed on the soft-magnetic layer, having a thickness of from more than 0 to less than 10 nm; and a magnetic recording layer formed on the NaCl-type oxide layer for orientation control, comprising a maghemite thin film. Such a perpendicular magnetic recording medium is capable of showing excellent magnetic properties, a high recording resolution and improved surface properties.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium, comprising: a substrate; an underlayer formed on the substrate; and a spinel-type iron oxide thin film comprising maghemite as a main component formed on the underlayer,