Abstract: A laminate which allows to obtain an organic thin-film solar cell having excellent output characteristics and transparency is provided. The laminate as above has a titanium oxide layer that is disposed on the member serving as a light-transmissive electrode layer and serves as an electron transport layer. The titanium oxide layer has a thickness of not less than 1.0 nm and not more than 200.0 nm. The titanium oxide layer contains indium oxide and metallic indium, InOx/Ti is not less than 0.50 and not more than 20.00 in atomic ratio, and InM/Ti is less than 0.100 in atomic ratio, where an elemental titanium content is represented by Ti, an indium oxide content is represented by InOx, and a metallic indium content is represented by InM.

Abstract: A laminate which allows to obtain an organic thin-film solar cell having excellent output characteristics and transparency is provided. The laminate as above has a titanium oxide layer that is disposed on the member serving as a light-transmissive electrode layer and serves as an electron transport layer. The titanium oxide layer has a thickness of not less than 1.0 nm and not more than 200.0 nm. The titanium oxide layer contains indium oxide and metallic indium, InOx/Ti is not less than 0.50 and not more than 20.00 in atomic ratio, and InM/Ti is less than 0.100 in atomic ratio, where an elemental titanium content is represented by Ti, an indium oxide content is represented by InOx, and a metallic indium content is represented by InM.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a polycrystalline membrane containing metal nitride particles represented by the general formula MNx (where M is a metal element in which the Fermi energy is in a position higher than ?4.4 eV vs L.V. and x is the range over which a rock salt-type structure can be assumed), in which the crystallite size determined by transmission electron microscopy is 10 nm or less, at least some of the crystallites have rock salt-type structure, and the crystallites exhibit (111) orientation but substantially do not exhibit (100) orientation. The present invention also pertains to a method for manufacturing a polycrystalline membrane, comprising forming, by sputtering, a polycrystalline membrane on a substrate having a temperature of less than 200° C.

Abstract: Provided are: a multilayer structure in which a titanium oxide layer exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity; and a method for producing this multilayer structure. The above-described multilayer structure comprises: a conductive part which contains a metal element A other than Ti, while having electrical conductivity; and a titanium oxide layer which is arranged on the conductive part and contains 1.0% by atom or more of the metal element A.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a proton ceramic fuel cell which has a hydrogen-permeable film as an anode and in which an electrolyte material is BaZrxCe1-x-zYzO3 (x=0.1 to 0.8, z=0.1 to 0.25, x+z?1.0) (BZCY). An electron-conducting oxide thin film having a film thickness of 1-100 nm is present between a cathode and an electrolyte comprising the material. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a proton ceramic fuel cell having a hydrogen-permeable film as an anode. The method comprises forming a thin film having a thickness of 1-100 nm between a cathode and an electrolyte comprising BZCY, the thin film comprising an electron-conducting oxide. The present invention provides a novel means for improving the output of a PCFC in which BZCY is used in an electrolyte material, and provides a PCFC having an output that exceeds a benchmark of 0.5 W cm?2 at 500° C.

Abstract: The invention provides metal members having liquid-repellent and corrosion-resistant surfaces, without the need for SAM surface treatment. A metal member of the disclosure has a porous surface, having the porous surface directly covered by a hydrocarbon-based oil comprising zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZnDTP). The porous surface may be an oxidized surface, and especially an anodized surface. The metal member may be a member of Al, Ti, Fe or Mg, or an alloy of any of these metals, or stainless steel. The concentration of the zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZnDTP) may be 0.1 mass % to 30.0 mass % with respect to the hydrocarbon-based oil.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a polycrystalline membrane containing metal nitride particles represented by the general formula MNx (where M is a metal element in which the Fermi energy is in a position higher than ?4.4 eV vs L.V. and x is the range over which a rock salt-type structure can be assumed), in which the crystallite size determined by transmission electron microscopy is 10 nm or less, at least some of the crystallites have rock salt-type structure, and the crystallites exhibit (111) orientation but substantially do not exhibit (100) orientation. The present invention also pertains to a method for manufacturing a polycrystalline membrane, comprising forming, by sputtering, a polycrystalline membrane on a substrate having a temperature of less than 200° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a proton ceramic fuel cell which has a hydrogen-permeable film as an anode and in which an electrolyte material is BaZrxCe1-x-yYzO3 (x=0.1 to 0.8, z=0.1 to 0.25, x+z?1.0) (BZCY). An electron-conducting oxide thin film having a film thickness of 1-100 nm is present between a cathode and an electrolyte comprising the material. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a proton ceramic fuel cell having a hydrogen-permeable film as an anode. The method comprises forming a thin film having a thickness of 1-100 nm between a cathode and an electrolyte comprising BZCY, the thin film comprising an electron-conducting oxide. The present invention provides a novel means for improving the output of a PCFC in which BZCY is used in an electrolyte material, and provides a PCFC having an output that exceeds a benchmark of 0.5 W cm?2 at 500° C.

Abstract: A novel transition metal oxide catalyst that is equivalent to precious metal catalysts, and an air electrode and an air secondary battery using this catalyst are provided. The catalyst is a catalyst for an air electrode including a brownmillerite-type transition metal oxide and represented by General Formula (1) below: A2B1B2O5??(1) where A represents Ca, Sr, Ba, or a rare earth element(RE), B1 is a metal atom that forms a tetrahedral structure together with oxygen atoms, and B2 is a metal atom that forms an octahedral structure together with oxygen atoms. Disclosed are an air electrode for a metal-air secondary battery that includes the catalyst, and a metal-air secondary battery that includes an air electrode including the catalyst, a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material, and an electrolyte intervening between the air electrode and the negative electrode.

Abstract: Provided are: a multilayer structure in which a titanium oxide layer exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity; and a method for producing this multilayer structure. The above-described multilayer structure comprises: a conductive part which contains a metal element A other than Ti, while having electrical conductivity; and a titanium oxide layer which is arranged on the conductive part and contains 1.0% by atom or more of the metal element A.

Abstract: A capacitor includes an anode, an oxide layer, a dielectric layer and a cathode. The oxide layer is located between the anode and the dielectric layer. The anode is made of a Zr-alloy having a composition of ZrM, where M is a metal element capable of forming an oxide coating in an electrolytic solution. The oxide layer includes a composite oxide of ZrM having a hexagonal close-packed structure and having a composition of (ZrM)OY where Y<2. The dielectric layer includes another composite oxide of ZrM having a composition of (ZrM)O2.

Abstract: A novel transition metal oxide catalyst that is equivalent to precious metal catalysts, and an air electrode and an air secondary battery using this catalyst are provided. The catalyst is a catalyst for an air electrode including a brownmillerite-type transition metal oxide and represented by General Formula (1) below: A2B1B2O5??(1) where A represents Ca, Sr, Ba, or a rare earth element(RE), B1 is a metal atom that forms a tetrahedral structure together with oxygen atoms, and B2 is a metal atom that forms an octahedral structure together with oxygen atoms. Disclosed are an air electrode for a metal-air secondary battery that includes the catalyst, and a metal-air secondary battery that includes an air electrode including the catalyst, a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material, and an electrolyte intervening between the air electrode and the negative electrode.

Abstract: An amorphous alloy which is resistant to hot corrosion in sulfidizing and oxidizing atmospheres at high temperatures, consisting of at least one element selected from the group of Al and Cr and at least one element selected from the refractory metals Mo, W, Nb, and Ta, a portion of the set forth refractory metals being allowed to be substituted with at least one element selected from Fe, Co, Ni and Cu. The addition of Si further improves the alloy's oxidation resistance.

Abstract: An amorphous alloy which is resistant to hot corrosion in sulfidizing and oxidizing atmospheres at high temperatures, consisting of at least one element selected from the group of Al and Cr and at least one element selected from refractory metals of Mo. W, Nb and Ta, a portion of the set forth refractory metals being allowed to be substituted with at least one element selected from Ti, Zr, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu. The addition of Si further improves the alloy's oxidation resistance.

Abstract: An amorphous alloy which is resistant to hot corrosion in sulfidizing and oxidizing atmospheres at high temperatures, consisting of at least one element selected from the group of Al and Cr and at least one element selected from refractory metals of Mo. W, Nb and Ta, a portion of the set forth refractory metals being allowed to be substituted with at least one element selected from Ti, Zr, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu. The addition of Si further improves the alloy oxidation resistance.

Abstract: Amorphous alloys having an extremely high corrosion resistance comprise Cr and at least one element selected from Ta and Nb, as essential components, and are spontaneously passive owing to the formation of stable protective films, even in very corrosive environments such as poorly oxidizing concentrated hydrochloric acid. The amorphous alloy may further include one or more elements appropriately selected from other alloying elements of Al, Ti, Zr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo and W. The amorphous alloys have advantageous properties, such as very high corrosion resistance, high corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures and high wear resistance, and, therefore are useful in chemical plants or other industrial and domestic applications.

Abstract: An amorphous alloy which is resistant to hot corrosion in sulfidizing and oxidizing atmospheres at high temperatures, consisting of Cr and at least one element selected from refractory metals of Nb and Ta, a portion of the set forth refractory metals being allowed to be substituted with at least one element selected from Ti, Zr, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu. The addition of Si further improves the alloy's oxidation resistance.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalyst for cleaning exhaust gas, which is prepared by dipping in hydrofluoric acid an amorphous alloy composed of 20 to 80 atom % of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Nb, Ta, Ti and Zr (the sum of Nb and Ta being up to 70 atom %), 0.5 to 20 atom % of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ru, Pd, Rh, Pt and Ir, and the balance of one or two of Ni and Co. This catalyst can clean at a low temperature an exhaust gas containing NO or CO discharged from apparatuses or engines wherein various organic substances are burnt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the decomposition of chlorofluorocarbons to hydrofluoric acid, hydrochloric acid and carbon dioxide by the chlorofluorocarbons' reaction with water at a temperature of 200 .degree. C. or higher and in the presence of a catalyst material consisting of a metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Nb and an alloy consisting of at least two elements selected from the same group. The catalyst material may also be composed of an alloy consisting of up to 80 atomic % of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ni and Co and the substantial balance of being at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr and Nb. The metallic catalyst materials of the present invention have a very high catalytic activity for the decomposition of flons at relatively low temperatures and can retain their high activity during the decomposition process, even if they are converted into fluorides.

Abstract: Highly active amorphous alloy catalysts for use in decomposing of flons into hydrofluoric acid, hydrochloric acid and carbon dioxide by the reaction of flons with water, consist of at least one element selected from the group of Ni and Co, at least one element selected from the group of Nb, Ta, Ti and Zr, which are effective for the formation of the amorphous structure by coexisting with at least one element selected from the group of Ni and Co, and at least one element selected from the group of Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir and Pt, which are necessary for the high catalytic activity. The alloys are activated by immersion into hydrofluoric acids.