Abstract: The invention relates to novel materials of the formula: AuM1vM2wM3x02±? wherein A is one or more alkali metals; M1 comprises one or more redox active metals with an oxidation state in the range +2 to +4; M2 comprises tin, optionally in combination with one or more transition metals; M3 comprises one or more transition metals either alone or in combination with one or more non-transition elements selected from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, other metals, metalloids and non-metals, with an oxidation state in the range +1 to +5; wherein the oxidation state of M1, M2, and M3 are chosen to maintain charge neutrality and further wherein ? is in the range 0???0.4; U is in the range 0.3<U<2; V is in the range 0.1?V<0.75; W is in the range 0<W<0.75; X is in the range 0?X<0.5; and (U+V+W+X)<4.0. Such materials are useful, for example as electrode materials, in rechargeable battery applications.

Abstract: A composition comprises the general formula Xu Niv Zb Mnx Tiy Snw, O2, wherein: X consists of sodium or a mixture of group 1 metals having sodium as the major constituent; Z is one or more alkali metals selected from the group consisting of lithium and sodium; the X constituent and the Z constituent are present at crystallographically distinct sites when the compound is in a solid phase; 0<u 0<b<0.27; 0.1<v<½; 0<w? 4/12; 3/12?x; and w+x+y=1?(b+v). It has been found that such materials may be charged to a capacity that is greater than the theoretical charging capacity of the material, as determined from the content of redox active elements in the material.

Abstract: Materials are presented of the formula: AxMyMiziO2?d, where A is sodium or a mixed alkali metal including sodium as a major constituent; x>0; M is a metal or germanium; y>0; Mi, for i=1, 2, 3 . . . n, is a transition metal or an alkali metal; zi?0 for each i=1, 2, 3 . . . n; 0<d?0.5; the values of x, y, zi and d are such as to maintain charge neutrality; and the values of x, y, zi and d are such that x+y+?zi>2?d. The formula includes compounds that are oxygen deficient. Further the oxidation states may or may not be integers i.e. they may be whole numbers or fractions or a combination of whole numbers and fractions and may be averaged over different crystallographic sites in the material. Such materials are useful, for example, as electrode materials in rechargeable battery applications. Also presented is a method of preparing a compound having the formula AxMyMiziO2?d.

Abstract: Materials are presented of the formula: Ax My Mizi O2?d, where A is sodium or a mixed alkali metal including sodium as a major constituent; x>0; M is a metal or germanium; y>0; Mi, for i=1, 2, 3 . . . n, is a transition metal or an alkali metal; zi?0 for each i=1, 2, 3 . . . n; 0<d?0.5; the values of x, y, zi and d are such as to maintain charge neutrality; and the values of x, y, zi and d are such that x+y+?zi>2?d. The formula includes compounds that are oxygen deficient. Further the oxidation states may or may not be integers i.e. they may be whole numbers or fractions or a combination of whole numbers and fractions and may be averaged over different crystallographic sites in the material. Such materials are useful, for example, as electrode materials in rechargeable battery applications. Also presented is a method of preparing a compound having the formula Ax My Mizi O2?d.

Abstract: Materials are presented of the formula: AxMyMiziO2?d, where A is sodium or a mixed alkali metal including sodium as a major constituent; x>0.5; M is a transition metal; y>0; Mi, for i=1, 2, 3 . . . n, is a metal or germanium; z1>0 zi?0 for each i=2, 3 . . . n; 0<d?0.5; the values of x, y, zi and d are such as to maintain charge neutrality; and the values of y, zi and d are such that y+?zi>½(2?d). The formula includes compounds that are oxygen deficient. Further the oxidation states may or may not be integers i.e. they may be whole numbers or fractions or a combination of whole numbers and fractions and may be averaged over different crystallographic sites in the material. Such materials are useful, for example, as electrode materials in rechargeable battery applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel materials of the formula: AuM1vM2wM3x02±? wherein A is one or more alkali metals; M1 comprises one or more redox active metals with an oxidation state in the range +2 to +4; M2 comprises tin, optionally in combination with one or more transition metals; M3 comprises one or more transition metals either alone or in combination with one or more non-transition elements selected from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, other metals, metalloids and non-metals, with an oxidation state in the range +1 to +5; wherein the oxidation state of M1, M2, and M3 are chosen to maintain charge neutrality and further wherein ? is in the range 0???0.4; U is in the range 0.3<U<2; V is in the range 0.1?V<0.75; W is in the range 0<W<0.75; X is in the range 0?X<0.5; and (U+V+W+X)<4.0. Such materials are useful, for example as electrode materials, in rechargeable battery applications.

Abstract: A layered oxide material having a composition represented by Chemical Formula (1): AwMjxMiyO2??(1) wherein A is sodium or is a mixed alkali metal including sodium as a major constituent; w>0; Mj is a transition metal not including Ni or is a mixture of transition metals not including Ni; x>0; j?1; Mi includes either one or more alkali metals, one or more alkaline earth metals, or a mixture of one or more alkali metals and one or more alkaline earth metals; y>0; i?1; and ?(Mj+Mi)?3. A method of forming the layered oxide material includes the steps of mixing one or more precursors in a solvent to form a mixture; heating the mixture to form a reaction product; and cooling the reaction product under air or inert atmosphere.

Abstract: Materials are presented of the formula: Ax My Mizi O2-d, where A is sodium or a mixed alkali metal including sodium as a major constituent; x>0; M is a metal or germanium; y>0; Mi, for i=1, 2, 3 . . . n, is a transition metal or an alkali metal; zi?0 for each i=1, 2, 3 . . . n; 0<d?0.5; the values of x, y, zi and d are such as to maintain charge neutrality; and the values of x, y, zi and d are such that x+y+?zi>2-d. The formula includes compounds that are oxygen deficient. Further the oxidation states may or may not be integers i.e. they may be whole numbers or fractions or a combination of whole numbers and fractions and may be averaged over different crystallographic sites in the material. Such materials are useful, for example, as electrode materials in rechargeable battery applications. Also presented is a method of preparing a compound having the formula Ax My Mizi O2-d.

Abstract: Materials are presented of the formula: AxMyMiziO2?d, where A is sodium or a mixed alkali metal including sodium as a major constituent; x>0.5; M is a transition metal; y>0; Mi, for i=1, 2, 3 . . . n, is a metal or germanium; z1>0 zi?0 for each i=2, 3 . . . n; 0<d?0.5; the values of x, y, zi and d are such as to maintain charge neutrality; and the values of y, zi and d are such that y+?zi>½(2?d). The formula includes compounds that are oxygen deficient. Further the oxidation states may or may not be integers i.e. they may be whole numbers or fractions or a combination of whole numbers and fractions and may be averaged over different crystallographic sites in the material. Such materials are useful, for example, as electrode materials in rechargeable battery applications.

Abstract: A high pressure tubular reactor for production of nanoparticles by precipitation has unidirectional fluid flows of a precursor and supercritical water directed from inner and outer coaxial inlets to an outlet via a reaction zone yearly downstream of the inlets. The inner inlet is for supercritical fluid, and the outer inlet is for a precursor.

Abstract: A high pressure tubular reactor for production of nanoparticles by precipitation has unidirectional fluid flows of precursor and supercritical water directed from inner and outer coaxial inlets to an outlet via a reaction zone immediately downstream of the inlets. The inner inlet is for supercritical fluid, and the outer inlet is for a precursor.

Abstract: A high pressure tubular reactor for production of nanoparticles by precipitation has unidirectional fluid flows of precursor and supercritical water directed from inner and outer coaxial inlets to an outlet via a reaction zone immediately downstream of the inlets. The inner inlet is for supercritical fluid, and the outer inlet is for a precursor.