Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte is prepared by forming a polymer solution containing a filler into a film, evaporating off the solvent from the film, and impregnating the film with an electrolytic solution. The impregnated polymer electrolyte has a swelling factor of at least 2.2. The method is efficient enough to produce the polymer electrolyte at a low cost. The polymer electrolyte is useful in electrochemical devices such as lithium secondary batteries and electric double layer capacitors.

Abstract: To overcome the drawbacks of a P(VDF-HFP) system gel electrolyte and a cell using the same, a polymer having a vinylidene fluoride copolymer as a backbone and poly-vinylidene fluoride in a side chain featuring good adhesion and exhibiting electro-chemical properties similar to the P(VDF-HFP) system without a crosslinking step is used as a binder for a gel electrolyte or electrode. The invention improves the adhesion of gel electrolyte to a current collector or electrode to reduce internal resistance; develops a polymeric solid electrolyte which is storage stable and capable of continuous lamination of coating layers; and provides an electrode which does not require an extra crosslinking step in assembly procedure, prevents positive and negative electrode materials from stripping off, and experiences a minimal capacitance drop upon repetitive charge/discharge cycles. A lithium secondary cell and an electric double-layer capacitor using the electrode is also described.

Abstract: The invention provides a solid type electric double-layer capacitor of the organic solvent system. A solid type electric double-layer capacitor including an electrolyte containing an electrolytic solution in a matrix of a fluorinated polymer prevents liquid leakage and a self-discharge phenomenon and shows performance comparable to prior art capacitors of the organic solvent system.

Abstract: A length of electroplated metal foil, typically copper foil is prepared by placing a stationary arcuate anode concentrically with a rotating cathode drum to define a channel therebetween, passing a plating solution through the channel, conducting electricity across the channel for depositing metal on the cathode drum, and separating the metal deposit from the cathode drum. The anode includes a plurality of circumferentially arranged electrode segments formed of a valve metal material and coated with a platinum group metal or oxide thereof. The electrode segments are removably attached and electrically connected to a back plate. The split anode is easy in assembly and disassembly and, hence, in maintenance and repair, has a high degree of precision in configuration and dimensions, and ensures manufacture of copper foil of quality with a minimized variation in thickness during continuous operation.

Abstract: An oxygen generating electrode has on a conductive substrate a first layer of metallic platinum and tantalum oxide containing 80-99 mol% of Ta and 20-1 mol% of Pt, a second layer of iridium oxide and tantalum oxide containing 80-99.9 mol% of Ir and 20-0.1 mol% of Ta, and preferably a third layer of iridium oxide and tantalum oxide containing 40-79.9 mol% of Ir and 60-20.1 mol% of Ta. In another embodiment, the first layer consists of iridium oxide and tantalum oxide and contains 14-8.4 mol% of Ir and 86-91.6 mol% of Ta. The electrode, when used as an anode in electrolysis with concomitant oxygen generation, can be used for an extended period at a low bath voltage. It is adapted for electrolysis at a high current density of more than 100 A/cm.sup.2 since it maintains mechanical strength and has a long effective life. It experiences a minimal change of oxygen overvoltage with time.

Abstract: The electrode of the invention suitable for use in an oxygen-generating electrolytic process with durability comprises (A) a substrate of, e.g., titanium metal; (B) an undercoating layer thereon which is formed of a mixture of an iridium oxide and tantalum oxide in a limited molar proportion and (C) an overcoating layer formed of an iridium oxide. The undercoating layer can be formed by coating the substrate surface with a solution containing an iridium compound and tantalum compound each having thermal decomposability and then subjecting the coated substrate body to a heat treatment in an oxidizing atmosphere. Similarly, the overcoating layer can be formed by coating with a solution containing a thermally decomposable iridium compound followed by an oxidative heat treatment in an oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: Proposal is made for providing a high-performance electrode suitable for use in an oxygen-generating electrolytic process having an outstandingly low oxygen overvoltage and exhibiting high durability in a prolonged run of electrolysis. The electrode consists of an electroconductive substrate of a metal, e.g., titanium, and a multiple composite oxide coating layer thereon consisting of at least one layer of type A composed of iridium oxide and tantalum oxide in an Ir:Ta molar ratio of 40:60 to 79.9:20.1 and at least one layer of type B formed on the type A layer composed of iridium oxide and tantalum oxide in an Ir:Ta molar ratio of 80:20 to 99.9:0.1. A plural number of type A layers and a plural number of type B layers can be alternately laid one on the other so as to improve the mechanical stability of the coating layer on the substrate surface.

Abstract: The cigarette lighter of the invention has an igniter member which promotes smooth burning of the fuel gas ejected from the gas nozzle. The igniter member is composed of an igniting element which is a coiled wire of platinum metal or a platinum-based alloy having a specified dimensions and a supporting member made of a wire of a refractory metal or alloy. The coil of platinum wire preferably has a flattened configuration to cover a larger front of the flame. The supporting member made of a wire of a refractory metal or alloy, around which the coil is wound, is preferably coated with a coating layer of a ceramic material, e.g., alumina. A simple but very reliable structure for mounting the igniter member in the fire bowl of the cigarette lighter is described.

Abstract: A method for continuously electro-tinplating a metallic material comprising the steps of: using an acidic electro-tinplating solution containing phenolsulfonic acid or a salt thereof and tin ion, using an insoluble anode, and causing a DC electric current to flow between the insoluble anode and a metallic material, while replenishing the acidic electro-tinplating solution with tin ion, thereby forming a tinplating layer on the surface of the metallic material. The above-mentioned anode comprises an electric-conductive substrate, and a film comprising at least iridium oxide, formed on the surface of the electric-conductive substrate.

Abstract: An anode comprising an electroconductive substrate provided with a (Ru-Sn)O.sub.2 solid solution coating is useful in brine electrolysis. The improved coating has a composition of (i) 3 to 45 mol % of ruthenium oxide, (ii) 0.1 to 30 mol % of at least one member selected from metallic platinum, platinum oxide, and iridium oxide, and (iii) 50 to 96.9 mol % of tin oxide which may be partially replaced by antimony.