Abstract: A laminated film including: a substrate; and a thin film layer stacked on at least one surface of the substrate, the thin film layer containing silicon atoms, oxygen atoms, and carbon atoms, the thin film layer having at least three extrema, a difference between a maximum value of local maxima and a minimum value of the local maxima of 14 at % or less, and a maximum value of 23 at % to 33 at % in a carbon distribution curve that represents a relationship between a thickness-wise distance in the thin film layer from a surface of the thin film layer and a proportion of the number of carbon atoms (atomic proportion of carbon) to a total number of silicon atoms, oxygen atoms, and carbon atoms contained in the thin film layer at a point positioned away from the surface by the distance, and the thin film layer including at least one discontinuous region that satisfies a relationship of formulae (1) to (3), 3 at %?a?b??(1) 3 at %?b?c??(2) 0.5<(a?c)/dx??(3).

Abstract: A laminated film including: a substrate; and a thin film layer stacked on at least one surface of the substrate, the thin film layer containing silicon atoms, oxygen atoms, and carbon atoms, the thin film layer having at least three extrema, and a difference between a maximum value of local maxima and a minimum value of the local maxima of 14 at % or less in a carbon distribution curve that represents a relationship between a thickness-wise distance in the thin film layer from a surface of the thin film layer and a proportion of the number of carbon atoms (atomic proportion of carbon) to a total number of silicon atoms, oxygen atoms, and carbon atoms contained in the thin film layer at a point positioned away from the surface by the distance, and the thin film layer including at least one discontinuous region that satisfies a relationship of formulae (1) to (3), 3 at %?a?b ??(1) 3 at %?b?c ??(2) 0.5<(a?c)/dx ??(3).

Abstract: A film having excellent optical homogeneity, which is suitably used as an optical film in an image display device, and a method for manufacturing the same. Moreover, an evaluation method which can evaluate the optical homogeneity of the film with a higher precision than in conventional evaluation methods is provided. A film that is a cast film containing a resin having a weight average molecular weight of 200,000 or more, wherein, when line profiles in a direction h and a direction v which are orthogonal to each other in a film inverse space image obtained by Fourier transforming a projection image obtained by a projection method using the cast film are a line profile h and a line profile v.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sodium secondary battery capable of reducing the amount of lithium used, and ensuring a larger discharge capacity maintenance rate when having repeated a charge and discharge, as compared with conventional techniques; and a mixed metal oxide usable as the positive electrode active material therefor. A mixed metal oxide of the present invention comprises Na and M1 wherein M1 represents three or more elements selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co and Ni with an Na:M1 molar ratio being a:1 wherein a is a value falling within the range of more than 0.5 and less than 1. Also, a mixed metal oxide of the present invention is represented by the following formula (1): NaaM1O2??(1) wherein M1 and a each have the same meaning as above. The positive electrode active material for secondary batteries of the present invention comprises the mixed metal oxide above.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a laminated body having a laminated film and an adhesive layer, the manufacturing method including a step of forming the adhesive layer on one surface of the laminated film, wherein the laminated film is a laminated film on which at least a substrate, and a thin film layer containing at least silicon are laminated; and the step of forming the adhesive layer includes forming the adhesive layer on a surface of a laminated film material in which the thin film layer is laminated, while conveying the laminated film material in which the laminated film is continuous in strip shape in a lengthwise direction, and while applying a tensile force of at least 0.5 N/mm2 and less than 50 N/mm2 per unit of cross-sectional area, in the lengthwise direction, to the laminated film material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mixed metal oxide comprising Na, M1, and M2, where M1 represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba; and M2 represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni, wherein the molar ratio of Na:M1:M2 is a:b:1, where a is a value within the range of not less than 0.5 and less than 1; b is a value within the range of more than 0 and not more than 0.5; and “a+b” is a value within the range of more than 0.5 and not more than 1. An electrode having an active material containing the mixed metal oxide is also disclosed. Further disclosed is an electrode containing the electrode active material as well as a sodium secondary battery comprising the electrode as a positive electrode.

Abstract: A sodium secondary battery capable of reducing the amount used of a scarce metal element such as lithium and cobalt and moreover, ensuring a larger discharge capacity after repeating charge/discharge as compared with conventional techniques, and a mixed metal oxide usable as the positive electrode active material therefor. The mixed metal oxide comprises Na, Mn and M1 wherein M1 is Fe or Ni, with a Na:Mn:M1 molar ratio being a:(1?b):b wherein a is a value falling within the range of more than 0.5 and less than 1, and b is a value falling within the range of from 0.001 to 0.5. Another mixed metal oxide is a mixed metal oxide represented by the following formula (1): NaaMn1?bM1bO2 (1) wherein M1, a and b each have the same meaning as above. The positive electrode active material for sodium secondary batteries comprises the mixed metal oxide above.

Abstract: Disclosed are a positive electrode active material and a method for producing an olivine-type phosphate. The positive electrode active material comprises an olivine-type phosphate represented by the following formula (I), wherein the maximum peak in an X-ray diffraction pattern obtained using a CuK? ray is the peak of the (031) plane of the olivine-type phosphate and the half-value width of the peak is 1.5° or less: AaMbPO4 (I), wherein A represents one or more elements selected from among alkali metals; M represents one or more elements selected from among transition metals; a is from 0.5 to 1.5; and b is from 0.5 to 1.5. The method for producing an olivine-type phosphate comprises preparing a raw material comprising element A, element M, and phosphorus (P) so that a A:M:P molar ratio may be a:b:1, preliminary calcining the raw material, and mainly calcining the preliminary calcined raw material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a positive electrode active material that can suppress the necessity of performing sieving and is suitable for use in secondary batteries, particularly sodium secondary batteries. Also provided is a powder for a positive electrode active material as a raw material for the positive electrode active material. The powder for a positive electrode active material of the present invention comprises Mn-containing particles. In the cumulative particle size distribution on the volume basis of particles constituting the powder, D50, which is the particle diameter at a 50% cumulation measured from the smallest particle, is in the range of from 0.1 ?m to 10 ?m, and 90 vol % or more of the particles constituting the powder are in the range of from 0.3 times to 3 times D50. The powder for a positive electrode active material comprises Mn-containing particles, and 90 vol % or more of the particles constituting the powder are in the range of from 0.6 ?m to 6 ?m.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mixed metal oxide comprising Na, M1, and M2, where M1 represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba; and M2 represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni, wherein the molar ratio of Na:M1:M2 is a:b:1, where a is a value within the range of not less than 0.5 and less than 1; b is a value within the range of more than 0 and not more than 0.5; and “a+b” is a value within the range of more than 0.5 and not more than 1. An electrode having an active material containing the mixed metal oxide is also disclosed. Further disclosed is an electrode containing the electrode active material as well as a sodium secondary battery comprising the electrode as a positive electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed are an electrode active material and a method for producing an electrode active material. The method for producing an electrode active material comprises the following steps (i), (ii) and (iii). (i) An aqueous solution containing M is brought into contact with a precipitant, thereby obtaining a precipitate, wherein M represents at least two elements selected from the group consisting of metal elements other than alkali metal elements. (ii) The precipitate is mixed with a sodium compound, thereby obtaining a mixture. (iii) The mixture is calcined.

Abstract: The present invention provides a positive electrode active material that can suppress the necessity of performing sieving and is suitable for use in secondary batteries, particularly sodium secondary batteries. Also provided is a powder for a positive electrode active material as a raw material for the positive electrode active material. The powder for a positive electrode active material of the present invention comprises Mn-containing particles. In the cumulative particle size distribution on the volume basis of particles constituting the powder, D50, which is the particle diameter at a 50% cumulation measured from the smallest particle, is in the range of from 0.1 ?m to 10 ?m, and 90 vol % or more of the particles constituting the powder are in the range of from 0.3 times to 3 times D50. The powder for a positive electrode active material comprises Mn-containing particles, and 90 vol % or more of the particles constituting the powder are in the range of from 0.6 ?m to 6 ?m.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sodium secondary battery having a superior cycling performance as compared with conventional techniques. A sodium secondary battery of the present invention comprises a positive electrode comprising a mixed metal oxide which comprises Na and M1 wherein M1 represents two or more elements selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co and Ni, with an Na:M1 molar ratio being a:1 wherein a is a value falling within the range of more than 0.5 and less than 1, a negative electrode comprising a carbonaceous material capable of storing and releasing Na ions, and an electrolyte. Further, the sodium secondary battery of the present invention may comprise a separator, and the separator may be a separator comprising a porous laminated film in which a heat-resistant porous layer comprising a heat-resistant resin and a porous film comprising a thermoplastic resin are stacked each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sodium secondary battery capable of reducing the amount used of a scarce metal element such as lithium and cobalt and moreover, ensuring a larger discharge capacity after repeating charge/discharge as compared with conventional techniques, and a mixed metal oxide usable as the positive electrode active material therefor. The mixed metal oxide of the present invention comprises Na, Mn and M1 wherein M1 is Fe or Ni, with a Na:Mn:M1 molar ratio being a:(1-b):b wherein a is a value falling within the range of more than 0.5 and less than 1, and b is a value falling within the range of from 0.001 to 0.5. Another mixed metal oxide of the present invention is a mixed metal oxide represented by the following formula (1): NaaMn1-bM1bO2 (1) wherein M1, a and b each have the same meaning as above. The positive electrode active material for sodium secondary batteries of the present invention comprises the mixed metal oxide above.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sodium secondary battery capable of reducing the amount of lithium used, and ensuring a larger discharge capacity maintenance rate when having repeated a charge and discharge, as compared with conventional techniques; and a mixed metal oxide usable as the positive electrode active material therefor. A mixed metal oxide of the present invention comprises Na and M1 wherein M1 represents three or more elements selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co and Ni with an Na:M1 molar ratio being a:1 wherein a is a value falling within the range of more than 0.5 and less than 1. Also, a mixed metal oxide of the present invention is represented by the following formula (1): NaaM1O2??(1) wherein M1 and a each have the same meaning as above. The positive electrode active material for secondary batteries of the present invention comprises the mixed metal oxide above.

Abstract: Disclosed are a positive electrode active material and a method for producing an olivine-type phosphate. The positive electrode active material comprises an olivine-type phosphate represented by the following formula (I), wherein the maximum peak in an X-ray diffraction pattern obtained using a CuK? ray is the peak of the (031) plane of the olivine-type phosphate and the half-value width of the peak is 1.5° or less: AaMbPO4 (I), wherein A represents one or more elements selected from among alkali metals; M represents one or more elements selected from among transition metals; a is from 0.5 to 1.5; and b is from 0.5 to 1.5. The method for producing an olivine-type phosphate comprises preparing a raw material comprising element A, element M, and phosphorus (P) so that a A:M:P molar ratio may be a:b:1, preliminary calcining the raw material, and mainly calcining the preliminary calcined raw material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mixed metal oxide which is reduced in the amount of scarce metal used therein, while having excellent performance as a positive electrode active material for secondary batteries. Also disclosed are a positive electrode for sodium secondary batteries having excellent performance, and a sodium secondary battery. Specifically disclosed is a method for producing a sodium-manganese complex metal oxide which is characterized by comprising a step for calcining a material, which contains sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and dimanganese trioxide (Mn2O3) in such amounts that the molar ratio of sodium to manganese (Na/Mn) is not less than 0.4 but not more than 0.7, at a temperature of not less than 850° C. Also specifically disclosed are a sodium-manganese complex metal oxide produced by the method, a positive electrode for sodium secondary batteries which contains such a sodium-manganese complex metal oxide, and a sodium secondary battery.

Abstract: A sodium ion secondary battery having far superior potential stability during discharge when repeatedly charging and discharging, and a negative electrode active material capable of being efficiently doped and dedoped with sodium ions used therefor are provided. The sodium ion secondary battery according to the present invention includes a positive electrode containing a positive electrode active material capable of being doped and dedoped with sodium ions, a negative electrode containing a negative electrode active material containing, as a sole component or as a main component, a glassy carbonaceous material capable of being doped and dedoped with sodium ions, and an electrolyte containing sodium ions. Further, the negative electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte sodium ion secondary battery according to the present invention includes a glassy carbonaceous material as a sole component or as a main component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, an electrode and a carbonaceous material. The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery has an electrode containing a carbonaceous material obtained by a production method comprising a step of heating a compound of formula (1) or a calcination product of the compound, under an inert gas atmosphere in the range of from 200° C. to 3000° C.: wherein R represents a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and a hydroxyl group, an alkyl group, an alkoxyl group, an aryl group, an aryloxy group, a sulfonyl group, a halogen atom, a nitro group, a thioalkyl group, a cyano group, a carboxyl group, an amino group or an amide group may be attached to the hydrocarbon group; R? represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; n represents 3, 5 or 7.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mixed metal oxide which is extremely useful as a positive electrode active material for secondary batteries, while being reduced in the amount of a scarce metal used therein. Also disclosed are a positive electrode for sodium secondary batteries, and a sodium secondary battery. Specifically disclosed is a mixed metal oxide having an ?-NaFeO2 type (layered rocksalt-type) crystal structure and represented by the following formula: NaxFe1-yMyO2 (wherein M represents one or more elements selected from the group consisting of group 4 elements, group 5 elements, group 6 elements and group 14 elements of the IUPAC periodic table and Mn; x represents a value more than 0.5 but less than 1; and y represents a value more than 0 but less than 0.5). Also specifically disclosed are a positive electrode for sodium secondary batteries, which contains the mixed metal oxide, and a sodium secondary battery.