Abstract: A silicon composite comprises silicon particles whose surface is at least partially coated with a silicon carbide layer. It is prepared by subjecting a silicon powder to thermal CVD with an organic hydrocarbon gas and/or vapor at 900-1,400° C., and heating the powder for removing an excess free carbon layer from the surface through oxidative decomposition.

Abstract: A silicon composite comprises silicon particles whose surface is at least partially coated with a silicon carbide layer. It is prepared by subjecting a silicon powder to thermal CVD with an organic hydrocarbon gas and/or vapor at 900-1,400° C., and heating the powder for removing an excess free carbon layer from the surface through oxidative decomposition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a W/O nanoemulsion which remains stable even if stored for long periods of six months, for example. The W/O nanoemulsion of the present invention comprises: a) a water content of greater than 0 wt % but no greater than 30 wt %; b) an oil content of less than 100 wt % but no less than 70 wt %; c) 1 to 30 parts by weight of at least one nonionic surfactant for every 100 parts by weight of oil, the nonionic surfactant having an HLB value of 1 to 10; and d) 0.1 to 30 parts by weight of at least one selected from the group consisting of an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, and an amphoteric surfactant, for every 100 parts by weight of water, wherein the average particle size of 50% of the water particles in the W/O nanoemulsion is 100 nm or less.

Abstract: A separator carries lithium particles on its surface. Using the separator, a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having a high initial efficiency and improved cycle retentivity is available.

Abstract: A separator carries lithium particles on its surface. Using the separator, a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having a high initial efficiency and improved cycle retentivity is available.

Abstract: A silicon composite comprises silicon particles whose surface is at least partially coated with a silicon carbide layer. It is prepared by subjecting a silicon powder to thermal CVD with an organic hydrocarbon gas and/or vapor at 900-1,400° C., and heating the powder for removing an excess free carbon layer from the surface through oxidative decomposition.

Abstract: An efficient method for producing a silicon oxide powder at a low cost is provided. This method comprises the steps of heating a powder mixture of a silicon dioxide powder and a metal silicon powder to a temperature of 1,100 to 1,450° C. in an inert gas or under reduced pressure to generate silicon monoxide gas, and precipitating the silicon monoxide gas on a surface of a substrate to produce the silicon oxide powder, and in this method, the silicon dioxide powder has an average particle diameter of up to 1 ?m, and the metal silicon powder has an average particle diameter of 30 ?m.

Abstract: Silicon composite particles are prepared by sintering primary fine particles of silicon, silicon alloy or silicon oxide together with an organosilicon compound. Sintering of the organosilicon compound results in a silicon-base inorganic compound which serves as a binder. Each particle has the structure that silicon or silicon alloy fine particles are dispersed in the silicon-base inorganic compound binder, and voids are present within the particle.

Abstract: A silicon-silicon oxide-lithium composite comprises a silicon-silicon oxide composite having such a structure that silicon grains having a size of 0.5-50 nm are dispersed in silicon oxide, the silicon-silicon oxide composite being doped with lithium. Using the silicon-silicon oxide-lithium composite as a negative electrode material, a lithium ion secondary cell having a high initial efficiency and improved cycle performance can be constructed.

Abstract: A carbonate-modified silane or siloxane is combined with a non-aqueous solvent and an electrolyte salt to form a non-aqueous electrolytic solution, which is used to construct a secondary battery having improved charge/discharge characteristics.

Abstract: A graphite-silicon carbide composite comprises a graphite substrate and a silicon carbide layer formed thereon and comprising silicon carbide particles in fused and contact bonded state. The composite has excellent oxidation resistance and finds a wide range of application as heat resistant material. The method of forming a silicon carbide layer on graphite surface is simple and consistent.

Abstract: A metallic silicon powder is prepared by effecting chemical reduction on silica stone, metallurgical refinement, and metallurgical and/or chemical purification to reduce the content of impurities. The powder is best suited as a negative electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cells, affording better cycle performance.

Abstract: A Si—C—O composite powder is obtained by curing a reactive silane or siloxane having crosslinkable groups through heat curing or catalytic reaction into a crosslinked product and sintering the crosslinked product in an inert gas stream at a temperature of 700-1,400° C. into an inorganic state. It exhibits satisfactory cycle performance when used as the negative electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cells.

Abstract: A cyclic carbonate-modified silane or siloxane is combined with a non-aqueous solvent and an electrolyte salt to form a non-aqueous electrolytic solution, which is used to construct a secondary battery having improved temperature and high-output characteristics.

Abstract: Organohalosilanes are prepared by charging a reactor with a contact mass comprising metallic silicon and a catalyst and feeding an organohalide-containing gas to the reactor. The contact mass is prepared by premixing metallic silicon and a tin compound and heat treating the premix at 300-600° C. in an inert gas atmosphere.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolytic solution is provided comprising a non-aqueous solvent, an electrolyte salt, and a siloxane modified with ether bond-bearing organic group. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery using the same has improved characteristics both at low temperatures and at high outputs.

Abstract: A graphite-silicon carbide composite comprises a graphite substrate and a silicon carbide layer formed thereon and comprising silicon carbide particles in fused and contact bonded state. The composite has excellent oxidation resistance and finds a wide range of application as heat resistant material. The method of forming a silicon carbide layer on graphite surface is simple and consistent.

Abstract: Organohalosilanes are prepared by charging a reactor with a contact mass of metallic silicon and a catalyst and feeding an organohalide-containing gas to the reactor. Tin or a tin compound is used as the catalyst. Then organohalosilanes can be produced quite efficiently at a high reaction rate while maintaining a low T/D ratio and minimizing the deposition of by-products and carbon.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery negative electrode material is provided wherein a negative electrode active material containing a lithium ion-occluding and releasing material which has been treated with an organosilicon base surface treating agent is surface coated with a conductive coating. Using the negative electrode material, a lithium ion secondary battery having a high capacity and improved cycle performance is obtainable.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprises a negative electrode comprising a negative electrode active material containing silicon capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions, a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode active material containing an oxide, sulfide or organic polymer capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions, and a non-aqueous electrolyte solution containing a lithium salt. A lithium-containing film is coated or laminated to the negative electrode to make up an irreversible capacity of lithium to be left in the negative electrode.