Abstract: A process is disclosed for separation and recovery of vanadium, molybdenum, iron, tungsten, cobalt and nickel from alumina-based materials, mattes, ores, manufacturing by-products and waste. These elements are oxidized. The oxides are reacted with gaseous HCl to form volatile chloride-bearing compounds that subsequently sublimate. The volatile compounds are condensed in a downward-stepped thermal gradient that allows collection of moderate to high purity compounds of individual elements with exception of a nickel-cobalt co-condensate. Nickel is separated from cobalt by precipitation of nickel chloride from concentrated HCl pressurized with gaseous HCl.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of nickel and/or cobalt from an impure nickel, cobalt or mixed nickel/cobalt material including the steps of: a) providing a nickel, cobalt or mixed nickel/cobalt material; and b) contacting the nickel, cobalt or mixed nickel/cobalt material with a feed ammoniacal ammonium carbonate solution and a reductant in a leach step.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of metal oxides from a solution containing metallic salts by spray roasting of these solutions. The process is particularly suitable for spray roasting spent pickling acids. The process feeds the solution to a reactor for spray roasting of the droplets in at least two stages, where at least one evaporation stage follows at least one conversion stage to convert the metal salts to metal oxides. The device for implementing the process includes a spray roasting reactor having a first heating zone to evaporate the water and a second heating zone to convert the metal salts to oxides.

Abstract: A catalyst member formed of a substrate configured for gas flow therethrough, a base metal catalytic component disposed in a base metal catalytic layer on the substrate, and a rhodium catalytic material disposed in a rhodium layer. The base metal catalytic component is formed of a base metal; namely, nickel, cobalt, or a combination of at least one of the foregoing base metals. The catalyst member is made by depositing a base metal catalytic component on a substrate configured for gas flow therethrough, and depositing a rhodium catalytic material over the base metal catalytic component.

Abstract: A single crystalline ternary nanostructure having the formula AxByOz, wherein x ranges from 0.25 to 24, and y ranges from 1.5 to 40, and wherein A and B are independently selected from the group consisting of Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cl, Cm, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, F, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Ho, I, In, Ir, K, La, Li, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, Os, P, Pb, Pd, Pr, Pt, Rb, Re, Rh, Ru, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Tc, Te, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, and Zn, wherein the nanostructure is at least 95% free of defects and/or dislocations.

Abstract: A method for preparing Li1+xNi1?yCoyO2 cathode materials is disclosed, wherein ?0.2?x?0.2 and 0.05?y?0.5. The method includes the following steps: (A) adding a first solution into a second solution to form a mixed solution, wherein the first solution is a saturated lithium hydroxide solution, the second solution contains nickel salt and cobalt salt, the mole ratio of the lithium ion in the first solution to nickel ion and cobalt ion in the second solution ranges from 1.5:1 to 5:1, and the molar ratio of nickel ion to cobalt ion in the second solution is 1?y:y; (B) stirring the mixed solution; (C) filtering the mixed solution and obtaining a co-precipitated precursor, wherein the molar ratio of lithium ion:nickel ion:cobalt ion is 1+x:1?y:y; and (D) heating the co-precipitated precursor at a temperature higher than 600° C.

Abstract: Sorbents for removal of mercury and other pollutants from gas streams, such as a flue gas stream from coal-fired utility plants, and methods for their manufacture and use are disclosed. The methods include mixing fly ash particles with a sulfide salt and a metal salt to form a metal sulfide on the outer surface of the fly ash particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing iron ore pellets containing hematite is described. The pellets containing magnetite are exposed to microwave energy in a heat treatment furnace under oxidizing conditions to convert magnetite to hematite.

Abstract: A mixing reactor for mixing efficiently streams of fluids of differing densities. In a preferred embodiment, one of the fluids is supercritical water, and the other is an aqueous salt solution. Thus, the reactor enables the production of metal oxide nanoparticles as a continuous process, without any risk of the reactor blocking due to the inefficient mixing inherent in existing reactor designs.

Abstract: A method for recovering a catalyst for a fuel cell includes a collection step in which a catalyst is collected by attracting, using a magnetic force, a magnetic material contained in at least one of the catalyst and a carrier on which the catalyst is supported. A system for recovering a catalyst for a fuel cell includes a collection device that attracts, using a magnetic force, a magnetic material contained in at least one of a catalyst and a carrier on which the catalyst is supported.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a method for producing stable alkaline metal oxide sols having a uniform particle size distribution. The method comprises the steps of: heating a metal compound at a temperature of 60° C. to 110° C. in an aqueous medium that contains a carbonate of quaternary ammonium; and carrying out hydrothermal processing at a temperature of 110° C. to 250° C. The carbonate of quaternary ammonium is (NR4)2CO3 or NR4HCO3 in which R represents a hydrocarbon group, or a mixture thereof. The metal compound is one, or two or more metal compounds selected from a group of compounds based on a metal having a valence that is bivalent, trivalent, or tetravalent.

Abstract: A general, reproducible, and simple synthetic method that employs readily available chemicals permits control of the size, shape, and size distribution of metal oxide nanocrystals. The synthesis entails reacting a metal fatty acid salt, the corresponding fatty acid, and a hydrocarbon solvent, with the reaction product being pyrolyzed to the metal oxide. Nearly monodisperse oxide nanocrystals of Fe3O4, Cr2O3, MnO, Co3O4, NiO, ZnO, SnO2, and In2O3, in a large size range (3-50 nm), are described. Size and shape control of the nanocrystals is achieved by varying the reactivity and concentration of the precursors.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for separation and recovery of vanadium, molybdenum, iron, tungsten, cobalt and nickel from alumina-based materials, mattes, ores, manufacturing by-products and waste. These elements are oxidized. The oxides are reacted with gaseous HCl to form volatile chloride-bearing compounds that subsequently sublimate. The volatile compounds are condensed in a downward-stepped thermal gradient that allows collection of moderate to high purity compounds of individual elements with exception of a nickel-cobalt co-condensate. Nickel is separated from cobalt by precipitation of nickel chloride from concentrated HCl pressurized with gaseous HCl.

Abstract: Decomposition of methane to produce carbon monoxide-free hydrogen is accomplished using un-supported, nanometer sized, hydrogen reduced, nickel oxide particles made by a precipitation process. A nickel compound, such as NiCl2 or Ni(NO3) is dissolved in water and suitably precipitated as nickel hydroxide. The precipitate is separated, dried and calcined to form the NiO catalyst precursor particles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing metal sulfide nanocrystals using a thiol compound as a sulfur precursor. The method comprises reacting the thiol compound and a metal precursor in a solvent to grow metal sulfide crystals to the nanometer-scale level. Further disclosed is a method for manufacturing metal sulfide nanocrystals with a core-shell structure by reacting a metal precursor and a thiol compound in a solvent to grow a metal sulfide layer on the surface of a core. The metal sulfide nanocrystals prepared by these methods can have a uniform particle size at the nanometer-scale level, selective and desired crystal structures, and various shapes.

Abstract: A method and structure for making magnetite nanoparticle materials by mixing iron salt with alcohol, carboxylic acid and amine in an organic solvent and heating the mixture to 200-360° C. is described. The size of the particles can be controlled either by changing the iron salt to acid/amine ratio or by coating small nanoparticles with more iron oxide. Magnetite nanoparticles in the size ranging from 2 nm to 20 nm with a narrow size distribution are obtained with the invention.

Abstract: The present teachings are directed towards a thermolysis method of producing iron-containing nanoparticles by providing an iron-containing component, a colloid stabilizing component, and an amount of water. The iron-containing component, the colloid stabilizing component, and the amount of water form a mixture, which is then heated to a temperature sufficient to form iron-containing nanoparticles, which are then isolated from the mixture. Another method is also provided which involves a repetitive shell growth method of producing iron-containing nanoparticles by providing a first amount of an iron-containing component and a colloid stabilizing component; the iron-containing component and the colloid stabilizing component are then mixed and heated to a temperature sufficient to form iron-containing nanoparticles.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of nickel and cobalt from a nickeliferous oxidic ore by heap leaching, the process including the steps of a) forming the nickeliferous oxidic ore into one or more heaps; b) leaching the ore heap with a leach solution in a leach step wherein the leach solution includes an acid supplemented hypersaline water as the lixiviant, the hypersaline water having a total dissolved solids concentration greater than 30 g/l; and c) recovering the nickel and cobalt from the resultant heap leachate.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and composition using akaganeite, an iron oxide, as an ion adsorption medium for the removal of arsenic from water and affixing it onto carrier media so that it can be used in filtration systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing metal nanoparticles and the metal nanoparticles produced thereby and in particular, to a method of producing metal nanoparticles comprising preparing a first solution including a dispersing stabilizer and a polar solvent; preparing a second solution including a metal precursor and a polar solvent; and adding the second solution into the first solution by dividing at least 2 times. According to the present invention, it is possible to produce metal nanoparticles of uniform size and isotropy with high efficiency using small amount of dispersion stabilizer through controlling reaction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the removal of iron as hematite from a zinc sulphate solution in atmospheric conditions during the electrolytic preparation of zinc. According to the method, the pH of the iron-containing solution is adjusted to a value of at least 2.7, oxygen-containing gas is fed into the solution and part of the hematite thus formed is recirculated to the precipitation stage.

Abstract: A lithium-containing complex oxide exhibits a high performance as a cathode active material of a lithium secondary cell or the like and having a high tap density. A granular lithium-containing complex oxide, such as lithium manganese complex oxide, is made up of “complex oxide grains produced by integrating lithium-rich material grains abnormally grown during a firing reaction with the surfaces of the base grains by sintering.” The number of complex oxide grains is not more than 50 per gram of the complex grains. A metal oxide such as manganese oxide and lithium carbonate not more than 5 ?m in average grain size are mixed by means of a mixer which grinds and mixes particles by using a shearing force and heated and fired at a warming rate of not more than 50° C./h., thus producing the lithium-containing complex oxide.

Abstract: A black composite oxide particle includes a composite oxide having Fe, Mg and Al as metal components. The particle contains Fe, Mg and Al in amounts of 30 to 55 mass %, 1 to 10 mass %, and 1 to 10 mass %, respectively, and has an atomic ratio of Fe3+/Fe2+ of 0.8 to 10. Also described is a method for producing the black composite oxide particle. In an embodiment, the particle includes a hydrated composite oxide represented by an empirical formula: Fe2+aFe3+bMgcAldOe·nH2O. The black composite oxide particle is suitable as a black pigment for a coating material, an ink, toner particles, a rubber and a plastic, and is reduced with respect to the load on the environment and excellent in blackness.

Abstract: Granular secondary particles of a lithium-manganese composite oxide suitable for use in non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries showing high-output characteristics which are granular secondary particles made up of aggregated crystalline primary particles of a lithium-manganese composite oxide and have many micrometer-size open voids therein with a defined average diameter and total volume of open voids. A process for producing the granular secondary particles which includes spray-drying a slurry of at least a manganese oxide, a lithium source, and an agent for open-void formation to thereby granulate the slurry and then calcining the granules.

Abstract: An apparatus and continuous process for the conversion of one solid iron compound to another solid iron compound in a heterogeneous suspension wherein the suspension is formed by dispersing a solid starting iron compound in a liquid that is continuously fed through one or more agitated conversion vessels under hydrothermal conditions and converted to a solid product iron compound having different physical, chemical, or structural properties from the solid starting iron compound.

Abstract: Single-phase lithium-transition metal oxide compounds containing cobalt, manganese and nickel can be prepared by wet milling cobalt-, manganese-, nickel- and lithium-containing oxides or oxide precursors to form a finely-divided slurry containing well-distributed cobalt, manganese, nickel and lithium, and heating the slurry to provide a lithium-transition metal oxide compound containing cobalt, manganese and nickel and having a substantially single-phase O3 crystal structure. Wet milling provides significantly shorter milling times than dry milling and appears to promote formation of single-phase lithium-transition metal oxide compounds. The time savings in the wet milling step more than offsets the time that may be required to dry the slurry during the heating step.

Abstract: Iron oxides are upgraded by calcining at from 700 to 1200° C.

Abstract: A method for producing nanostructured multi-component or doped oxide particles and the particles produced therein. The process includes the steps of (i) dissolving salts of cations, which are either dopants or components of the final oxide, in an organic solvent; (ii) adding a dispersion of nanoparticles of a single component oxide to the liquid solution; (iii) heating the liquid solution to facilitate diffusion of cations into the nanoparticles; (iv) separating the solids from the liquid solution; and (v) heat treating the solids either to form the desired crystal structure in case of multi-component oxide or to render the homogeneous distribution of dopant cation in the host oxide structure. The process produces nanocrystalline multi-component or doped oxide nanoparticles with a particle size of 5–500 nm, more preferably 20–100 nm; the collection of particles have an average secondary (or aggregate) particle size is in the range of 25–2000 nm, preferably of less than 500 nm.

Abstract: A method of patterning magnetic material includes forming a ferromagnetic material layer containing one element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co and Ni on a substrate, selectively masking a surface of the ferromagnetic material layer, and making nonferromagnetic. The making nonferromagnetic step includes exposing an exposed portion in halogen-containing reaction gas, changing magnetism of the exposed portion and a lower layer thereof by chemical reaction, and making the exposed portion a nonferromagnetic material region. A magnetic recording medium is fabricated by using the magnetic material patterning method and includes a plurality of recording regions made of ferromagnetic materials, each containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co and Ni, and a nonferromagnetic material region for separating the recording regions from each other. The nonferromagnetic material region is a compound region of the ferromagnetic material and halogen.

Abstract: A production process for an oxide magnetic material comprising the steps of blending raw material powder so as to take the composition of a hexagonal ferrite including: at least one kind of an element A selected from the group consisting of Ba, Sr and Ca; Co and Cu; Fe; and O; and sintering said blended powder at a temperature lower than 1000° C.

Abstract: Nanoparticle compositions of noble metals, and methods of making them, are described. The nanoparticle compositions are made by reacting a salt or complex of a noble metal, such as Au, Ag, Cu or Pt, with a weak ligand, and a reducing agent, in a single liquid phase. The noble metal is typically provided as a halide or carboxylate. The ligand is preferably a fatty acid or aliphatic amine. The reducing agent is preferably a borohydride reagent, hydrazine, or a mixture thereof. Nanocrystals in the size range of 1 nm to 20 nm are produced, and can be made in substantially monodisperse form.

Abstract: Described is a method for the manufacture of iron hydroxide, iron oxide hydrate or iron oxide from filter salts from thin acid recovery, in which the filter salts are dissolved in water, the solution is adjusted to a pH of <1, then a pH of 2 to 4 is established by the addition of a strong base, with stirring, the substances precipitating are separated in a known manner, the remanent solution is adjusted to a pH of 6 to 8 by the addition of a strong base, the precipitating iron hydroxide is separated from the solution, washed, dried, and, if desired, dried and/or calcined to form iron oxide.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for preparing cerium oxide nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution. The cerium oxide nanoparticles obtained by the method of the invention are nearly all crystalline. The method comprises providing a first aqueous solution comprising cerium nitrate and providing a second aqueous solution comprising hexamethylenetetramine. The first and second aqueous solutions are mixed to form a mixture, and the mixture is maintained at a temperature no higher than about 320° K to form nanoparticles. The nanoparticles that are formed are then separated from the mixture. A further aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for preparing cerium oxide nanoparticles. The apparatus comprises a mixing vessel having a first compartment for holding a first aqueous solution comprising cerium nitrate and a second compartment for holding a second aqueous solution comprising hexamethylenetetramine. The mixing vessel has a retractable partition separating the first and second compartments.

Abstract: A hexagonal ferrite magnetic powder having an average tabular diameter of from 15 to 30 nm, a coercive force (Hc) of from 2,000 to 5,000 Oe (from 160 to 400 kA/m) and a saturated magnetization (?s) of equal to or more than the average tabular diameter (nm)×0.37+45 A·m2/kg. This magnetic powder is obtained by melting a starting material containing a material which has a composition within the hatched region (1) in the triangular phase diagram shown in FIG. 1 and quenching the molten product to obtain an amorphous product, subjecting the amorphous product to a thermal treatment, acid treatment, and washing. Also, a magnetic recording medium is obtained by adding this magnetic powder to the magnetic layer and coating it on the support.

Abstract: Improved methods for the extraction or dissolution of metals, metalloids or their oxides, especially lanthanides, actinides, uranium or their oxides, into supercritical solvents containing an extractant are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments specifically include enhancing the extraction or dissolution efficiency with ultrasound. The present methods allow the direct, efficient dissolution of UO2 or other uranium oxides without generating any waste stream or by-products.

Abstract: In a metal oxide nanoparticle and a synthetic method thereof, and in particular to maghemite (?-Fe2O3) nanoparticles usable as a superhigh density magnetic recording substance by having good shape anisotropy and magnetic characteristics, hematite (?-Fe2O3) nanoparticles usable as a precursor to the maghemite or a catalyst, maghemite and hematite-mixed nanoparticles and a synthetic method thereof, the method for synthesizing metal oxide nanoparticles includes forming a reverse micelle solution by adding distilled water, a surfactant and a solvent to metallic salt not less than trivalent, precipitating and separating gel type amorphous metal oxide particles by adding proton scavenger to the reverse micelle solution; adjusting a molar ratio of metal oxide to the surfactant by washing the gel type amorphous metal oxide particles with a polar solvent; and crystallizing metal oxide nanoparticles through heating or reflux after dispersing the gel type amorphous metal oxide particles in a non-polar solvent having a h

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing particles, such as oxide nanoparticles, in a substantially water-free environment. The process involves mixing at least one metal compound of the formula MX(m?n) with at least one surfactant and at least one solvent, wherein M is an electropositive element of Groups 1–15; each X is independently selected from the group consisting of O1/2, F, Cl, Br, I, OR, O2CR, NR2, and R; each R is independently a hydrocarbyl group; n is equal to ½ the oxidation state of the metal M in the product particle; and m is equal to the oxidation state of the element M. The components are typically combined to form a mixture which is thermally treated for a time period sufficient to convert the metal compound into particles of the corresponding oxide, having sizes in a range between about 0.5 nanometer and about 1000 nanometers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the hydrolytic precipitation of iron as jarosite from a sulphate-containing solution in connection with zinc recovery from zinc calcine. The recovey contains neutral leach, ferrite leach, zinc electrolysis and iron precipitation stages. The ferrite included in the calcine is leached with return acid of the electrolysis after which the iron present in ferrous form is neutralized and routed to an iron precipitation stage, where the iron is oxidised to the trivalent form using an oxygen-containing gas. Also present in the precipitation stage arc Na, K or NH4 ions and jarosite nuclei.

Abstract: A method of synthesis of alkali metal ferrates and alkaline earth metal ferrates, in which a trivalent iron compound is mixed with potash and optionally persulphate, and the mixture is heated at a temperature in the range of about 250 to about 500° C. for about 1 to 10 hours. The invention also relates to the use of the ferrates obtained by this method.

Abstract: An inert anode 50, for use in an electrolytic cell 12 for producing metals such as aluminum, is made by providing chemical source materials 100 such as at least two of metal salts, metal particles, or metal oxides and dissolving them to form a solution or a slurry 110, followed by adding a base 120 and adjusting the pH so that a gel 130 is formed which is dried and calcined 150, 160, 190 to provide a blend of metal oxide powder 200 which can be pressed and sintered 220 to form an inert anode 50.

Abstract: A cathode active material for a lithium secondary cell used in a cellular phone is disclosed. The cathode active material for the lithium secondary cell and the method the same having a high capacity and a long lifetime, different from LiCoO2 and LiMn2O4, Li(Ni, Co)O2, and V-system oxide that has been researched as the active material for substituting LiCoO2 are provided. The cathode active material for the lithium secondary cell in the next formula 1 is obtained by heating or chemically treating diadochite [Fe2(PO4)(SO4)(OH).6H2O] that is the mineral containing PO43?, SO42?, and OH?. LiaFebMc(PO4)x(SO4)y(OH)z ??(1) In the formula, M is at least one element selected from a radical consisting of Mg, Ti, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Al, and Si, with 0?a, c?0.5, 1?b?2, 0.5?x, y, z?1.5.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nickel mixed hydroxide with Ni as the main element and with a layer structure, comprising at least one element Ma from the group comprising Fe, Cr, Co, Ti, Zr and Cu which is present in two different oxidation states which differ by one electron in terms of the number of outer electrons; at least one element Mb from the group comprising B, Al, Ga, In and RE (rare earth metals) present in the trivalent oxidation state; optionally at least one element Mc from the group comprising Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Zn present in the divalent oxidation state; apart from the hydroxide, at least one additional anion from the group comprising halides, carbonate, sulfate, oxalate, acetate, borate and phosphate in a quantity sufficient to preserve the electroneutrality of the mixed hydroxide; and water of hydration in a quantity which stabilizes the relevant structure of the mixed hydroxide.

Abstract: A process for producing an electrode material for a rechargeable lithium battery, comprising the steps of mixing a metal compound (a) of a metal (a′) capable of being electrochemically alloyed with lithium, a transition metal compound (b) of a transition metal (b′) and a complexing agent (c) with a solvent (d) to obtain a mixed solution, mixing a reducing agent (e) with said mixed solution to obtain a mixture, and oxidizing said reducing agent in said mixture to reduce ion of said metal (a′) and ion of said transition metal (b′) to obtain an amorphous alloy material capable of being electrochemically alloyed with lithium as said electrode material. An electrode structural body in which said electrode material is used, and a rechargeable lithium battery in which said electrode material is used.

Abstract: A method for producing an iron oxide pellet including the steps of adding water to a raw material mixture comprising iron oxide which serves as a primary component, a carbonaceous material in an amount sufficient for reducing the iron oxide, an organic binder in an amount sufficient for binding the iron oxide and the carbonaceous material, and an inorganic coagulant in an amount of not less than 0.05 mass % and less than 1 mass %; pelletizing the resultant mixture to thereby obtain a green pellet; and drying the green pellet until the moisture content is reduced to equal to or less than 1.0 mass %. The thus-produced iron oxide pellet is charged in a reducing furnace for reduction to thereby obtain a reduced iron pellet.

Abstract: A treatment for waste pickling solutions containing iron and method of ferric oxide formation, consisting of spent acid with iron content, the addition therein of sodium hydroxide to adjust the pH value, the execution of a chemical reaction in another tank into which sodium hydroxide and air are added while the admixture is exposed to an ultraviolet beam circuit in a photo-oxidation process, and finally magnetic culling to separate ferric oxide in the solution.

Abstract: Ceramic inert anodes useful for the electrolytic production of aluminum are disclosed. The inert anodes comprise an oxide of Ni and Fe having a controlled Ni/(Ni+Fe) mole ratio which results in a single-phase structure at the operation temperatures of aluminum production cells. The Ni and Fe oxide material may also have a single-phase structure at the sintering temperature of the material. The single-phase inert anode materials maintain sufficient electrical conductivity at the operating temperatures of the cell, and also possess good mechanical stability.

Abstract: Transition metals may be recovered from a salt-containing mixture containing at least one transition metal compound, salts, and organic compounds by separating from the salt-containing mixture a mixture of the transition metal compound and the salts. This mixture, together with any organic impurities, is introduced into a combustion zone, and the flue gas/salt mixture leaving the combustion zone is quenched with water. The combustion residue, containing the transition metal, is separated from the resulting quench solution, dried, and converted to fresh catalyst.

Abstract: A continuous process for the hydrothermal conversion of a solid starting iron compound selected from the group of iron oxides, iron hydroxides, iron oxyhydroxides, and mixtures thereof into a solid product iron compound with different physical, chemical, and/or structural properties.

Abstract: The positive active material for secondary battery according to the invention comprises O, Fe in an amount of higher than 25% by weight, and V in an amount of from higher than 0% by weight to less than 35% by weight. The positive active material, when it is free of lithium, exhibits the following main peaks by the X-ray diffractometry using CuK&agr; rays: a peak within a 2&thgr; range of from greater than 26° to less than 29° and a peak within a 2&thgr; range of from greater than 29° to less than 32°. The non-aqueous secondary battery having a positive electrode comprising this positive active material exhibits a high capacity and good cycle life performance and is inexpensive and environmentally friendly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite polymers containing nanometer-sized metal particles and manufacturing method thereof, which can be uniformly dispersed nanometer-sized metal particles into polymers, thereby allowing the use thereof as optically, electrically and magnetically functional materials. The method for manufacturing composite polymers containing nanometer-sized metal particles includes the steps of: dispersing at least one metal precursor into a matrix made of polymers in a molecule level; and irradiating rays of light on the matrix containing the metal precursors dispersed in the molecule level and reducing the metal precursors into metals and fixing nanometer sized metal particles inside of matrix.

Abstract: Disclosed is a resin composition comprising a copolymer [I] having a number average molecular weight of at least 15,000, which comprises at least 30 mole % of the following recurring units [A]: ##STR1## and a compound [II] having a number average molecular weight of at least 1,000, which is comprised of perfluoroalkylether recurring units [D]. This resin composition is used as a cladding of a core-clad optical fiber.