Abstract: The invention relates to a negative electrode powder for a lithium-ion rechargeable battery comprising a mixture comprising carbon and SiOx, with 0<x<1, wherein the SiOx consists of a nanometric composite of crystalline SiO2 and amorphous Si. The method for preparing the powder comprises the steps of providing an aqueous solution comprising an anti-agglomeration agent, dispersing a silicon comprising organic compound in the aqueous solution, hydrothermally treating the aqueous solution at a temperature between 90 and 180° C. for a period of 0.5 to 24 h, preferably between 110 and 140° C. for a period of 0.5 to 4 h, thereby forming a suspension of SiO2 and Si in the aqueous solution, evaporating the solution, thereby obtaining a slurry, subjecting the slurry to a coking process whereby a solid residue is formed, calcining the solid residue at a temperature between 500 and 1300° C., preferably between 600 and 1000° C., in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: The invention relates to An active material for a rechargeable lithium ion battery, comprising metal (M) based particles and a silicon oxide SiOx with 0<x<2, wherein said SiOx is an intimate mixture of amorphous silicon (Si) and crystalline silicon dioxide (SiO2); wherein the metal (M) is preferably selected from the group consisting of Si, Sn, In, Al, Fe and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A negative electrode active material for a lithium ion battery having the composition formula SiaSnbNicTiyMmCz, wherein a, b, c, y, m and z represent atomic % values, wherein M is either one of more of Fe, Cr and Co, and wherein a>0, b>0, z>0, y?0, 0?m?1, c>5, z+0.5*b>a and c+y>0.75*b. The process for preparing the active material comprises the steps of:—providing a mixture of elemental and/or alloyed powders of the elements in the composition SiaSnbNicTiyMmCz, and—high energy milling under non-oxidizing conditions of the powder mixture.

Abstract: This invention relates to a negative electrode material for lithium-ion batteries comprising silicon and having a chemically treated or coated surface influencing the zeta potential of the surface. The active material consists of particles or particles and wires comprising a core (11) comprising silicon, wherein the particles have a positive zeta potential in an interval between pH 3.5 and 9.5, and preferably between pH 4 and 9.5. The core is either chemically treated with an amino-functional metal oxide, or the core is at least partly covered with OySiHx groups, with 1<x<3, 1<y<3, and x>y, or is covered by adsorbed inorganic nanoparticles or cationic multivalent metal ions or oxides.

Abstract: A negative electrode active material for a lithium ion battery having the composition formula SiaSnbNicTiyMmCz, wherein a, b, c, y, m and z represent atomic % values, wherein M is either one of more of Fe, Cr and Co, and wherein a>0, b>0, z>0, y?0, 0?m?1, c>5, z+0.5*b>a and c+y>0.75*b. The process for preparing the active material comprises the steps of:—providing a mixture of elemental and/or alloyed powders of the elements in the composition SiaSnbNicTiyMmCz, and—high energy milling under non-oxidizing conditions of the powder mixture.

Abstract: A submicron sized Si based powder having an average primary particle size between 20 nm and 200 nm, wherein the powder has a surface layer comprising SiOx, with 0<x<2, the surface layer having an average thickness between 0.5 nm and 10 nm, and wherein the powder has a total oxygen content equal or less than 3% by weight at room temperature. The method for making the powder comprises a step where a Si precursor is vaporized in a gas stream at high temperature, after which the gas stream is quenched to obtain Si particles, and the Si particles are quenched at low temperature in an oxygen containing gas.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for a rechargeable Li-ion battery, comprising a current collector provided with an electrode composition comprising carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) binder material and silicon powder provided with a layer of SiO2 or silicon suboxides SiOx, with 0<x?2, such that the oxygen content of said silicon is between 3 and 18% by weight.

Abstract: Nano-sized metal-bearing powders and doped-powders are synthesized by means of a process whereby a non-volatile metal-bearing precursor powder or powder mixture is dispersed in a hot gas stream at relatively low temperatures. A first volatile reactant is added, converting the metal in the precursor into a volatile metal compound. Subsequently a second volatile reactant is injected into the gas stream, converting the volatile metal compound into a solid, which condenses as a nano-sized metal-bearing powder upon quenching. Finally, the vapour/metal-bearing powder mixture is separated from the gas stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to doped ceria (CeO2) abrasive particles, having an essentially octahedral morphology. Such abrasives are used in water-based slurries for Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP) of subrates such as silicon wafers. The invention more particularly concerns yttrium-doped ceria particles having a specific surface area of 10 to 120 m2/g, characterized in that at least 95 wt %, preferably at least 99 wt %, of the particles are mono-crystalline and in that the particles' surfaces consist of more than 70%, preferably of more than 80%, of planes parallel to {111} planes. A novel gas phase process for synthesizing this product is also disclosed, comprising the steps of providing a hot gas stream, —and, introducing into said gas stream a cerium-bearing reactant, a dopant-bearing reactant, and an oxygen-bearing reactant, —the temperature of said gas stream being chosen so as to atomize said reactant, the reactant being selected so as to form, upon cooling, doped ceria particles.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a process for producing ultra-fine rutile titanium dioxide powders. This particular compound is useful as UV-blocker in paints, plastics, coatings, pigments and sunscreens. The new process comprises the steps of providing a hot gas stream and of introducing therein firstly:—a titanium-bearing first reactant; and—a carbon- and/or nitrogen-bearing second reactant; the temperature of said gas stream being chosen so as to vaporize said first and second reactants, these being selected so as to form, at the prevalent temperature, titanium carbide, titanium nitride or a mixture thereof, as a nano-sized precursor; and, thereafter:—a volatile oxygen-bearing reactant selected so as to react with the nano-sized precursor, converting it to nano-sized titanium dioxide powder having a rutile content of at least 50%. This reaction scheme allows for the manufacture of powders with or without doping elements with a primary particle size between 1 and 100 nm.

Abstract: Nano-sized metal-bearing powders and doped-powders are synthesized by means of a process whereby a non-volatile metal-bearing precursor powder or powder mixture is dispersed in a hot gas stream at relatively low temperatures. A first volatile reactant is added, converting the metal in the precursor into a volatile metal compound. Subsequently a second volatile reactant is injected into the gas stream, converting the volatile metal compound into a solid, which condenses as a nano-sized metal-bearing powder upon quenching. Finally, the vapour/metal-bearing powder mixture is separated from the gas stream.