Abstract: A cathode comprising an oxygen-containing compound, or a metal containing dissolved oxygen, is arranged in contact with a melt comprising a hydroxide of an alkali metal. An inert anode, advantageously comprising nickel, is also arranged in contact with the melt and a potential is applied between the anode and the cathode such that oxygen is removed from the compound or the metal.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns an electro-decomposition process wherein a cathode comprising a metal compound is contacted with a fused salt electrolyte in an electrochemical cell. The metal compound is a compound between a metal and another substance, and a voltage is applied between the cathode and an anode such that the substance is removed from the metal compound. In the improved method, the applied voltage increases with time, either continuously or stepwise, up to a predetermined maximum voltage. In addition, or in the alternative, the fused salt composition is selected so as to maintain a predetermined concentration of the substance in the fused salt during electro-decomposition.

Abstract: In an electrolytic method for producing nano-scale carbon products, such as carbon nanotubes, first and second graphite electrodes contact a fused-salt electrolyte. A power supply is coupled to the electrodes and first and second voltages are alternately applied to the electrodes. The first voltage is applied such that the first electrode is at a cathodic potential relative to the second electrode, and the second voltage is applied such that the second electrode is at a cathodic potential relative to the first electrode. The method thus advantageously converts the carbon of both electrodes to nano-scale carbon products.

Abstract: A method for the production of an intermetallic compound (M1Z) involves treating a solid precursor material comprising three or more species, including first and second metal or metalloid species (M1, Z) and a non-metal species (X), by electro-deoxidation in contact with a melt comprising a fused salt (M2Y) under conditions whereby the non-metal species dissolves in the melt. The first and second metal or metalloid species form an intermetallic compound. The method is performed in a cell comprising a cathode of the precursor material (2), which is immersed in a melt (8) contained in a crucible (6) for electro-deoxidation.

Abstract: An anode for a rechargeable lithium cell comprises carbon nanotubes that contain within them an element that can form alloys or compounds reversibly with lithium over a range of compositions. The element within the nanotubes may be aluminum or tin. These carbon nanotubes are bound together to form a coherent layer with a polymeric binder, such as a polymer of viniylidene fluoride. A cell with such an anode should have improved capacity and improved reversibility, because the nanotubes provide a stabilizing framework for the alloy.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for removing a substance (X) from a solid metal or semi-metal compound (M1X) by electrolysis in a melt of M2Y, which comprises conducting the electrolysis under conditions such that reaction of X rather than M2 deposition occurs at a electrode surface, and that X dissolves in the electrolyte M2Y. The substance X is either removed from the surface (i.e., M1X) or by means of diffusion extracted from the case material. The temperature of the fused salt is chosen below the melting temperature of the metal M1. The potential is chosen below the decomposition potential of the electrolyte.

Abstract: A method for the production of an intermetallic compound (M1Z) involves treating a solid precursor material comprising three or more species, including first and second metal or metalloid species (M1, Z) and a non-metal species (X), by electro-deoxidation in contact with a melt comprising a fused salt (M2Y) under conditions whereby the non-metal species dissolves in the melt. The first and second metal or metalloid species form an intermetallic compound. The method is performed in a cell comprising a cathode of the precursor material (2), which is immersed in a melt (8) contained in a crucible (6) for electro-deoxidation.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for removing a substance (X) from a solid metal or semi-metal compound (M1X) by electrolysis in a melt of M2Y, which comprises conducting the electrolysis under conditions such that reaction of X rather than M2 deposition occurs at a electrode surface, and that X dissolves in the electrolyte M2Y. The substance X is either removed from the surface (i.e., M1X) or by means of diffusion extracted from the case material. The temperature of the fused salt is chosen below the melting temperature of the metal M1. The potential is chosen below the decomposition potential of the electrolyte.

Abstract: A precursor powder comprising a metal compound is formed into a sample for electro-deoxidation, for example by slip-casting. The sample is then immersed in a melt comprising a molten salt and a cathodic potential applied to remove non-metal species from the precursor powder by electro-deoxidation and dissolution in the melt. This typically forms a metallic sample which can be fragmented to form a metallic powder. In a second aspect of the invention a powdered feed material is formed into a shaped precursor and more extensive electro-deoxidation carried out so as to form a near-net shaped product.

Abstract: A method for selective dissolution of tin and/or lead- or tin-containing alloys from printed circuit boards is provided comprising contacting a printed circuit board with a solution comprising Ti(IV) and an acid which forms stable and soluble salt of Ti(III), Ti(IV), Sn(II) and Pb(II), under conditions to effect dissolution of substantially all of the Sn and/or Pb- or Sn-containing alloy therefrom, as Sn(II) and/or Pb(II) and recovering from the solution by electrolytic reduction substantially all of the Sn(II) and/or PB(II) species as Sn and/or Pb. After the electrolytic reduction step, the oxidant metal species is regenerated by oxidation and recycled to the first stage of the process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adding a metal, for example sodium, to a melt of a material, for example aluminum, in a vessel, in which a molten compound of the metal or a solution of a compound of the metal is provided in a container (12), the container being positioned outside the vessel, the compound is electrolytically decomposed and ions of the metal are caused to pass through a wall of a solid-state electrolyte (14) which is a conductor therefor, from a first side of the wall to an opposite second side thereof, and to combine with electrons at the second side of the wall and then to flow as molten metal from the container into the melt in the vessel.

Abstract: Electronically conductive composites of electronically conductive polymers and carbon nanotubes are formed by electrochemical or gel polymerisation of monomer in a carbon nanotube suspension. Electrical energy storage devices are produced from carbon nanotube/electronically conductive polymer composites.

Abstract: The subject method and apparatus pertains to the accurate determination of a composition of gases, over a very wide range of compositions. The subject invention can utilize an ionic electrolyte (1), which separates gases of different compositions, a source of potential difference (2) which is applied across the ionic electrolyte, means for reversing the current, and means (3) for measuring the respective currents. The ratio of currents is a function of the ratio of the gas compositions on opposite sides of the electrolyte. By varying the applied potential, the sensitivity of the apparatus can be increased.

Abstract: A molten metal, such as aluminium, is refined by passing a stream thereof into an anode comprising a bed of conductive particles, such as carbon, in a molten or conductive-solution salt. A diaphragm, pervious to the salt but impervious to the molten metal, separates the anode from a cathode comprising a bed of conductive particles in a salt which is molten or in conductive solution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the detection or determination of an element in a substance comprising that element by monitoring the e.m.f. generated between the substance and a reference material, in which the reference material is a solid compound of said element separated from the substance by said electrolyte.