Abstract: Provided is a method for easily and inexpensively separating a rare earth element contained in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A Pd-supporting Zr-based composite oxide wherein by having a Zr-containing composite oxide support and Pd supported thereon and by showing, upon XAFS (X-ray absorption fine structure) analysis, a maximum peak in a Pd bond distance range of 2.500-3.500 ?, the maximum peak being located in a position of 3.050-3.110 ?.

Abstract: Provided is a method for easily and inexpensively separating a rare earth element contained in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A Pd-supporting Zr-based composite oxide wherein by having a Zr-containing composite oxide support and Pd supported thereon and by showing, upon XAFS (X-ray absorption fine structure) analysis, a maximum peak in a Pd bond distance range of 2.500-3.500 ?, the maximum peak being located in a position of 3.050-3.110 ?.

Abstract: Provided are a composite oxide which is suitable as a co-catalyst for an exhaust gas purifying catalyst or the like, has high heat resistance, and has an excellent oxygen absorbing and desorbing capability at low temperatures and a method for producing the composite oxide. The composite oxide contains Ce and Zr, wherein the Ce content is 30 to 80 at % and the Zr content is 20 to 70 at %, based on the total of Ce and Zr being 100 at %, or further contains particular element M, wherein the Ce content is not less than 30 at % and less than 80 at %, the Zr content is not less than 20 at % and less than 70 at %, and the content of element M is more than 0 at % and not more than 15 at %, based on the total of Ce, Zr, and element M being 100 at %.

Abstract: There is provided a steam reforming catalyst comprising a carrier and a catalyst supported thereon. The carrier contains a composite oxide containing Ce and Zr. The content of the Ce is not less than 1.0 mol and not more than 3.0 mol per 1 mol of the Zr. The catalyst contains Ni and Ti. The content of the Ni is not less than 70% and not more than 97% by mole, and the content of the Ti is not less than 3% and not more than 30% by mole, based on 100% by mole of the total of the Ni and Ti.

Abstract: A catalyst, a hydrocarbon steam reforming catalyst, and a method for producing the same are provided. A catalytic metal containing at least Ni is supported on a composite oxide containing R, Zr, and oxygen, at a composition of not less than 10 mol % and not more than 90 mol % of R, not less than 10 mol % and not more than 90 mol % of Zr, and not less than 0 mol % and not more than 20 mol % of M (M: elements other than oxygen, R, and Zr), with respect to the total of the elements other than oxygen being 100 mol %, wherein the composite oxide has a specific surface area of 11 to 90 m2/g, and the largest peak in the wavelength range of 200 to 800 cm?1 of Raman spectrum with a full width at half maximum of 20 to 72 cm?1.

Abstract: Provided are an anode active material for lithium ion rechargeable batteries and an anode, which are capable, when used in a lithium ion rechargeable battery, of providing excellent charge/discharge capacity and cycle characteristics, and also high rate performance, as well as a lithium ion rechargeable battery using the same. The anode active material contains particles having a crystal phase represented by RAx, wherein R is at least one element selected from the group consisting of rare earth elements including Sc and Y but excluding La, A is Si and/or Ge, and x satisfies 1.0?x?2.0, and a crystal phase consisting of A. The material is thus useful as an anode material for lithium ion rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: Provided are a method for producing a composite oxide and the composite oxide. The method includes steps of: (a) preparing a Ce aqueous solution not less than 80 mol % of which Ce ions are tetravalent, and a Zr aqueous solution; (b1) mixing the Zr aqueous solution and a portion of the Ce aqueous solution to prepare a mixed aqueous solution (X1); (c1) hydrothermally processing the solution (X1); (b2) adding the remainder of the Ce aqueous solution of step (a) to a colloidal solution (Y1) of a composite salt obtained from step (c1) to prepare a colloidal solution (Y2) of a composite salt; (c2) hydrothermally processing the solution (Y2); (d) mixing a colloidal solution (Y3) of a composite salt obtained from step (c2) with an alkaline solution and a surfactant to prepare a precipitate; and (e) calcining the precipitate.

Abstract: Provided are a method for producing a composite oxide and the composite oxide, which finds use as an easy-to-handle catalyst material having a high reforming rate of hydrocarbon to hydrogen even when oxidized. The method includes the steps of: (a) preparing a Ce aqueous solution not less than 80 mol % of which Ce ions are tetravalent, and a Zr aqueous solution containing Zr ions; (b1) mixing the Zr aqueous solution and a portion of the Ce aqueous solution to prepare a mixed aqueous solution (X1); (c1) hydrothermally processing solution (X1); (b2) adding the remainder of the Ce aqueous solution prepared in step (a) to a colloidal solution (Y1) of a composite salt obtained from step (c1) to prepare a colloidal solution (Y2) of a composite salt; (c2) hydrothermally processing solution (Y2) obtained from step (b2); (d) mixing a colloidal solution (Y3) of a composite salt obtained from step (c2) with an alkaline solution and a surfactant to prepare a precipitate; and (e) calcining the precipitate.

Abstract: A positive electrode catalyst, for use in a positive electrode in a device provided with the positive electrode and a negative electrode, in which a reaction represented by 4OH??O2+2H2O+4e? is performed on a side of the positive electrode. The positive electrode catalyst includes a layered metal oxide, wherein the layered metal oxide is a Ruddlesden-Popper type layered perovskite represented by (La1-xAx) (Fe1-yBy)3(Sr1-zCz)3O10-a wherein, A is a rare earth element other than La, B is a transition metal other than Fe, and C is an alkaline earth metal other than Sr; and x satisfies an expression: 0?x<1, y satisfies an expression: 0?y<1, z satisfies an expression: 0?z<1, and a satisfies an expression: 0?a?3.

Abstract: Provided is solid electrolyte utilizing a composite oxide of a RP-type structure, that is useful for achieving strong electromotive force and enhanced current-voltage characteristics of a fuel battery, has enhanced ion conductivity and sufficiently inhibited electronic conductivity, and is capable of intercalation of a large amount of water or hydrogen groups, as well as a solid electrolyte membrane, a fuel battery cell, and a fuel battery. The solid electrolyte and the solid electrolyte membrane of the present invention has been obtained by subjecting a particular composite oxide of a RP-type structure or a membrane thereof to a treatment of at least one of hydroxylation and hydration, and has a property that the mass determined by TG measurement at 400° C. is less than that at 250° C. by not less than 4.0%.

Abstract: Provided are a composite oxide which is suitable as a co-catalyst for an exhaust gas purifying catalyst or the like, has high heat resistance, and has an excellent oxygen absorbing and desorbing capability at low temperatures and a method for producing the composite oxide. The composite oxide contains Ce and Zr, wherein the Ce content is 30 to 80 at % and the Zr content is 20 to 70 at %, based on the total of Ce and Zr being 100 at %, or further contains particular element M, wherein the Ce content is not less than 30 at % and less than 80 at %, the Zr content is not less than 20 at % and less than 70 at %, and the content of element M is more than 0 at % and not more than 15 at %, based on the total of Ce, Zr, and element M being 100 at %.

Abstract: A positive electrode mixture including a positive electrode active material represented by the following formula (1); and a solid electrolyte that comprises Li and S: aLi2MnO3bLiNi1-yM1yO2-cLiM2vM3wM4xO2??(1) wherein M1 is one or more elements selected from Co, Mn, Al, Fe, Cu, V, Zn and Cr; M2, M3 and M4 are independently one or more elements selected from Ni, Co, Mn, Al, Fe, Cu, V, Zn and Cr; M2, M3 and M4 are elements different from each other; a, b and c satisfy a+b+c=1, 0<a<1, 0<b<1 and 0<c<1; y satisfies 0?y?1; and v, w and x satisfy v+w+x=1, and satisfy 0?v?1, 0?w?1 and 0?x?1.

Abstract: Provided are a solid electrolyte membrane useful in achieving strong electromotive force in a fuel battery, and a fuel battery cell produced with this membrane. The solid electrolyte membrane includes a substrate made of a sheet material and having a plurality of openings penetrating the substrate in its thickness direction, and a solid electrolyte layer provided on at least one of the faces of the substrate. The fuel battery cell includes a solid electrolyte membrane having the solid electrolyte layer on one of the faces of the substrate, and a catalyst layer containing a precious metal and provided on the other of the faces of the substrate, with the solid electrolyte layer and the catalyst layer being in contact with each other in the openings of the substrate.

Abstract: A positive electrode catalyst, for use in a positive electrode in a device provided with the positive electrode and a negative electrode, in which a reaction represented by 4 OH??O2+2 H2O+4 e? is performed on a side of the positive electrode. The positive electrode catalyst includes a layered metal oxide, wherein the layered metal oxide is a Ruddlesden-Popper type layered perovskite represented by (La1?xAx) (Fe1?yBy)3(Sr1?zCz)3O10?a wherein, A is a rare earth element other than La, B is a transition metal other than Fe, and C is an alkaline earth metal other than Sr; and x satisfies an expression: 0?x<1, y satisfies an expression: 0?y<1, z satisfies an expression: 0?z<1, and a satisfies an expression: 0?a?3.

Abstract: A catalyst, a hydrocarbon steam reforming catalyst, and a method for producing the same are provided. A catalytic metal containing at least Ni is supported on a composite oxide containing R, Zr, and oxygen, at a composition of not less than 10 mol % and not more than 90 mol % of R, not less than 10 mol % and not more than 90 mol % of Zr, and not less than 0 mol % and not more than 20 mol % of M (M: elements other than oxygen, R, and Zr), with respect to the total of the elements other than oxygen being 100 mol %, wherein the composite oxide has a specific surface area of 11 to 90 m2/g, and the largest peak in the wavelength range of 200 to 800 cm?1 of Raman spectrum with a full width at half maximum of 20 to 72 cm?1.

Abstract: Provided are a method for producing a composite oxide and the composite oxide, which finds use as an easy-to-handle catalyst material having a high reforming rate of hydrocarbon to hydrogen even when oxidized. The method includes the steps of: (a) preparing a Ce aqueous solution not less than 80 mol % of which Ce ions are tetravalent, and a Zr aqueous solution containing Zr ions; (b1) mixing the Zr aqueous solution and a portion of the Ce aqueous solution to prepare a mixed aqueous solution (X1); (c1) hydrothermally processing solution (X1); (b2) adding the remainder of the Ce aqueous solution prepared in step (a) to a colloidal solution (Y1) of a composite salt obtained from step (c1) to prepare a colloidal solution (Y2) of a composite salt; (c2) hydrothermally processing solution (Y2) obtained from step (b2); (d) mixing a colloidal solution (Y3) of a composite salt obtained from step (c2) with an alkaline solution and a surfactant to prepare a precipitate; and (e) calcining the precipitate.

Abstract: A positive electrode mixture including a positive electrode active material represented by the following formula (1); and a solid electrolyte that comprises Li and S: aLi2MnO3bLiNi1-yM1yO2-cLiM2vM3wM4xO2 ??(1) wherein M1 is one or more elements selected from Co, Mn, Al, Fe, Cu, V, Zn and Cr; M2, M3 and M4 are independently one or more elements selected from Ni, Co, Mn, Al, Fe, Cu, V, Zn and Cr; M2, M3 and M4 are elements different from each other; a, b and c satisfy a+b+c=1, 0<a<1, 0<b<1 and 0<c<1; y satisfies 0?y?1; and v, w and x satisfy v+w+x=1, and satisfy 0?v?1, 0?w?1 and 0?x?1.

Abstract: Provided are an anode active material for lithium ion rechargeable batteries and an anode, which are capable, when used in a lithium ion rechargeable battery, of providing excellent charge/discharge capacity and cycle characteristics, and also high rate performance, as well as a lithium ion rechargeable battery using the same. The anode active material contains particles having a crystal phase represented by RAx, wherein R is at least one element selected from the group consisting of rare earth elements including Sc and Y but excluding La, A is Si and/or Ge, and x satisfies 1.0?x?2.0, and a crystal phase consisting of A. The material is thus useful as an anode material for lithium ion rechargeable batteries.