Abstract: The present specification relates to a vanadium solution, an electrolyte including the same, a secondary battery including the same, and a method for preparing the same.

Abstract: Coaxial disk armatures, counter-rotating through an axial magnetic field, act as electrolysis electrodes and high shear centrifugal impellers for an axial feed. The feed can be carbon dioxide, water, methane, or other substances requiring electrolysis. Carbon dioxide and water can be processed into syngas and ozone continuously, enabling carbon and oxygen recycling at power plants. Within the space between the counter-rotating disk electrodes, a shear layer comprising a fractal tree network of radial vortices provides sink flow conduits for light fractions, such as syngas, radially inward while the heavy fractions, such as ozone and elemental carbon flow radially outward in boundary layers against the disks and beyond the disk periphery, where they are recovered as valuable products, such as carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A method for synthesis of nanostructured metal oxide powders. The method comprises converting the metallic material into a precipitate of metal hydroxide by an electrochemical reaction and calcinating the metal hydroxide to form the metal oxides. The method of the invention is also used for the development of cermet particulates and topological insulator particles.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for producing metal-containing (e.g., non-oxide, oxide, or elemental) nano-objects, which may be nanoparticles or nanowires, the method comprising contacting an aqueous solution comprising a metal salt and water with an electrically powered electrode to form said metal-containing nano-objects dislodged from the electrode, wherein said electrode possesses a nanotextured surface that functions to confine the particle growth process to form said metal-containing nano-objects. The invention is also directed to the resulting metal-containing compositions as well as devices in which they are incorporated.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for producing metal-containing particles, the method comprising subjecting an aqueous solution comprising a metal salt, Eh, lowering reducing agent, pH adjusting agent, and water to conditions that maintain the Eh value of the solution within the bounds of an Eh-pH stability field corresponding to the composition of the metal-containing particles to be produced, and producing said metal-containing particles in said aqueous solution at a selected Eh value within the bounds of said Eh-pH stability field. The invention is also directed to the resulting metal-containing particles as well as devices in which they are incorporated.

Abstract: Processes for forming expanded hexagonal layered minerals (HLMs) and derivatives thereof using electrochemical charging are disclosed. The process includes employing HLM rocks (20) as electrodes (100) immersed in an electrolytic slurry (50) that includes an organic solvent, metal ions and expanded HLM (24). The electrolysis introduces organic solvent and ions from the metal salt from the slurry into the interlayer spacings that separate the atomic interlayers of the HLM rock, thereby forming 1st-stage charged HLM that exfoliates from the HLM rock. The process includes expanding the electrochemically 1st-stage charged HLM by applying an expanding force.

Abstract: There is provided a mixture having a freezing point of up to 50° C., formed by reaction between: (A) one molar equivalent of a salt of formula I (Mn+)(X?)n I or a hydrate thereof; and (B) from one to eight molar equivalents of a complexing agent comprising one or more uncharged organic compounds, each of which compounds has (i) a hydrogen atom that is capable of forming a hydrogen bond with the anion X?; and (ii) a heteroatom selected from the group consisting of O, S, N and P that is capable of forming a coordinative bond with the metal ion Mn+, which reaction is performed in the absence of extraneous solvent, wherein M, X? mind a have meaning given in the description.

Abstract: An electrode having an oriented array of multiple nanotubes is disclosed. Individual nanotubes have a lengthwise inner pore defined by interior tube walls which extends at least partially through the length of the nanotube. The nanotubes of the array may be oriented according to any identifiable pattern. Also disclosed is a device featuring an electrode and methods of fabrication.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified tungsten oxide having an atomic concentration of 0.5 to 7.0%, preferably from 2.0 to 5.0%, of nitrogen atoms in lattice position, with respect to the total number of atoms of the oxide, having a surface morphology, detectable by means of a scanning electron microscope, characterized by nanostructures in the form of vermiform or branched open swellings, preferably having a length ranging from 200 to 2,000 nm, and a width ranging from 50 to 300 nm, having an appearance similar to Rice Krispies. The present invention also relates to a process for the preparation of the above oxide by the anodization of metallic tungsten, and also a photoanode comprising the above oxide.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a process for producing rare metals includes the steps of: electrolyzing an electrolytic solution to extract a Re oxide at a cathode; recovering the Re oxide, and electrolyzing the Re oxide in a molten salt electrolyte to extract metallic Re; recovering a Nd containing residue solution; treating the Nd containing residue solution to produce Nd oxide; electrolyzing the Nd oxide in a molten salt electrolyte to extract metallic Nd; recovering a Dy containing residue solution; treating the Dy containing residue solution to produce Dy oxide; and electrolyzing the Dy oxide in a molten salt electrolyte to extract metallic Dy.

Abstract: An electric current is passed through an acidic solution containing one or more soluble metal salts in an electrolytic cell divided by an anion exchange membrane. The acidic solution is fed into the cathode compartment whereby the passage of electric current at sufficient voltage causes the generation of hydrogen at the cathode. This gives rise to a localized very highly polarized region at the cathode resulting in a localized effective high relative pH. This causes the metal cation species to precipitate as a hydroxide (or oxide) species and electroadsorption/electrocoagulation causes the finely precipitated hydroxide (or oxide) species to adhere to the cathode. Electrodialytic transport of the liberated acid anions across the anion exchange membrane selectively removes the acid anions. Oxygen and hydrogen ions are formed by hydrolysis as the counter-reaction at the anode. Hydrogen ions combine with the anions to regenerate sulfuric acid.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing low valence titanium oxides in a steady supply manner acceptable in industrial production. The low valence titanium oxides are produced by electrical discharge between two electrodes in an aqueous medium, wherein at least one of the electrodes is a titanium-containing electrode.

Abstract: Electrochemical methods for making titanium oxide (TiO2) nanostructures are described. The morphology of the nanostructures can be manipulated by controlling reaction parameters, for example, solution composition, applied voltage, and time. The methods can be used at ambient conditions, for example, room temperature and atmospheric pressure and use moderate electric potentials. The methods are scalable with a high degree of controllability and reproducibility.

Abstract: A one step, room temperature, electrochemical process for the synthesis of rutile titanium dioxide nanoneedles with high aspect ratio is disclosed herein.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte composite membrane and method of manufacturing the same. The composite membrane comprises a porous ceramic support having a top surface and a bottom surface. The porous ceramic support may be formed by laser micromachining a ceramic sheet or may be formed by electrochemically oxidizing a sheet of the base metal. A solid polymer electrolyte fills the pores of the ceramic support and preferably also covers the top and bottom surfaces of the support. Application of the solid polymer electrolyte to the porous support may take place by applying a dispersion to the support followed by a drying off of the solvent, by hot extrusion of the solid polymer electrolyte (or by hot extrusion of a precursor of the solid polymer electrolyte followed by in-situ conversion of the precursor to the solid polymer electrolyte) or by in-situ polymerization of a corresponding monomer of the solid polymer electrolyte.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a process for removing one or more contaminants from an electrolytic solution and more particularly to a process for removing the one or more contaminants contained in an electrorefining solution using rare earth metals.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrogen gas from a reaction of carbon monoxide with a base. Hydrogen is produced in a reaction of a base with carbon monoxide that proceeds through the formation of a bicarbonate or carbonate compound as a by-product. In some embodiments, the reaction may occur in the presence of water and may produce carbon dioxide as a by-product. The instant base-facilitated hydrogen-producing reactions are thermodynamically more spontaneous than the water-gas shift reaction and are able to produce hydrogen gas from carbon monoxide at greater reaction rates than is possible with the water-gas shift reaction. Carbon monoxide in a purified or unpurified state or as a component within a mixture of gases is suitable for use in the instant invention. Metal hydroxides are the preferred base reactant. The base reactant can be in the solid phase, molten phase, liquid phase or solution phase.

Abstract: Provided is a method of recovering valuable metal from oxide system scrap including the steps of performing electrolysis using an insoluble electrode as an anode and an oxide system scrap as a cathode, and recovering the scrap of the cathode as metal or suboxide. Specifically, this method enables the efficient recovery of valuable metal from oxide system scrap of an indium-tin oxide (ITO) sputtering target or oxide system scrap such as mill ends that arise during the production of such a sputtering target.

Abstract: A spent fuel reprocessing method has a dissolution step of dissolving the spent fuel in nitric acid solution, an electrolysis/valence adjustment step of reducing Pu to trivalent, maintaining the pentavalent of Np, a uranium extraction step of collecting UO2 by bringing the fuel into contact with organic solvent and extracting hexavalent U by means of an extraction agent, an oxalic acid precipitation step of causing MA and the fissure products remaining in the nitric acid solution to precipitate together as oxalic acid precipitate, a chlorination step of converting the oxalic acid precipitate into chlorides by adding hydrochloric acid to the oxalic acid precipitate, a dehydration step of synthetically producing anhydrous chlorides by dehydrating the chlorides in a flow of Ar gas, and a molten salt electrolysis step of dissolving the anhydrous chlorides into molten salt and collecting U, Pu and MA at the cathode by electrolysis.

Abstract: Electrochemical methods for making titanium oxide (TiO2) nanostructures are described. The morphology of the nanostructures can be manipulated by controlling reaction parameters, for example, solution composition, applied voltage, and time. The methods can be used at ambient conditions, for example, room temperature and atmospheric pressure and use moderate electric potentials. The methods are scalable with a high degree of controllability and reproducibility.

Abstract: Coaxial disk armatures, counter-rotating through an axial magnetic field, act as electrolysis electrodes and high shear centrifugal impellers for an axial feed. The feed can be carbon dioxide, water, methane, or other substances requiring electrolysis. Carbon dioxide and water can be processed into syngas and ozone continuously, enabling carbon and oxygen recycling at power plants. Within the space between the counter-rotating disk electrodes, a shear layer comprising a fractal tree network of radial vortices provides sink flow conduits for light fractions, such as syngas, radially inward while the heavy fractions, such as ozone and elemental carbon flow radially outward in boundary layers against the disks and beyond the disk periphery, where they are recovered as valuable products, such as carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: There is provided a mixture having a freezing point of up to 50° C., formed by reaction between: (A) one molar equivalent of a salt of formula I (Mn+)(X?)n I or a hydrate thereof; and (B) from one to eight molar equivalents of a complexing agent comprising one or more uncharged organic compounds, each of which compounds has (i) a hydrogen atom that is capable of forming a hydrogen bond with the anion X?; and (ii) a heteroatom selected from the group consisting of O, S, N and P that is capable of forming a coordinative bond with the metal ion Mn+, which reaction is performed in the absence of extraneous solvent, wherein M, X? mind a have meaning given in the description.

Abstract: A new technique to synthesize barium titanate (BaTiO3) on homogeneous substrates (titanium) or heterogeneous substrates (silicon wafers, metal, glass, ceramics, polymers, other metals, etc.) is disclosed to include a first step to deposit a titanium film on a substrate by sputtering, and a second step to synthesize barium titanate film with uniformly dispersed spherical particles on the titanium-coated substrate in a electrolyte containing barium ions by electrochemically anodic oxidation.

Abstract: A process for the production of amorphous, crystalline, or mixed oxides of metals having mean particle diameters of 1 to 500 nm, by providing an electrolysis cell having a cathode in a cathode half-cell and an anode in an anode half cell, providing in the electrolysis cell a solution comprising ions of a metal or metals from which the oxide particles are to be formed dissolved in an organic electrolyte, and electrochemically reducing the metal ions at the cathode in the presence of an oxidizing agent while impeding or preventing passage of halogens from the anode half cell to the cathode half cell, to form the oxide or oxides.

Abstract: Process for recovering the vanadium present in the chromium ore chromite, as vanadium pentoxide, as a by-product from the vanadium-containing sodium chromate solution produced in the process of preparing sodium chromate and sodium dichromate from said ore, by precipitation of calcium vanadate from the sodium chromate solution, treatment of the precipitate with water and sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, carbon dioxide or sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide, to precipitate calcium carbonate and electrolysis of the solution remaining after separation of the calcium carbonate precipitate, to produce vanadium pentoxide.

Abstract: Amorphous and/or crystalline oxides of metals of the third to fifth main group or subgroups of the periodic table are obtained in particulate form by an electrochemical process. The process is characterized in that ions of the metal dissolved in an organic electrolyte are electrochemically reduced on a cathode in the presence of an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A method of removing oxygen from a solid metal, metal compound or semi-metal M1O by electrolysis in a fused salt of M2Y or a mixture of salts, which comprises conducting electrolysis under conditions such that reaction of oxygen rather than M2 deposition occurs at an electrode surface and that oxygen dissolves in the electrolyte M2Y and wherein, M1O is in the form of (sintered) granules or is in the form of a powder which is continuously fed into the fused salt. Also disclosed is a method of producing a metal foam comprising the steps of fabricating a foam-like metal oxide preform, removing oxygen from said foam structured metal oxide preform by electrolysis in a fused salt of M2Y or a mixture of salts, which comprises conducting electrolysis under conditions such that reaction of oxygen rather than M2 deposition occurs at an electrode surface. The method is advantageously applied for the production of titanium from Ti-dioxide.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions containing lead, zinc and manganese are treated to recover these metals by sequential solvent extraction steps. Solvent extractants are selected to extract preferentially lead, then zinc and then manganese in that order. Any interfering metals are removed (as by ion exchange) before extraction. The loaded extractant phases are stripped with selected acids and lead, zinc and manganese each recovered from the strip solutions. Optionally calcium can be recovered when present. A preferred type of extractant (for lead especially) is substituted monothiophosphinic acids. A closed loop system is described which is advantageous with leachate from sulphide and carbonate ores.

Abstract: A cermet inert anode having a reduced level of contaminating surface metal is disclosed. Methods for preparing cermet inert anodes and methods for treating cermet inert anodes are also disclosed. The methods generally use an oxidizing agent to convert metals on the surface of the anode to inert oxides and/or to otherwise remove the metal contaminants. The inert anodes of the present invention may be used in electrolytic reduction cells for the production of commercial purity aluminum, as well as other metals.

Abstract: A cermet composite material is made by treating at an elevated temperature a mixture comprising a compound of iron and a compound of at least one other metal, together with an alloy or mixture of copper and a noble metal. The alloy or mixture preferably comprises particles having an interior portion containing more copper than noble metal and an exterior portion containing more noble metal than copper. The noble metal is preferably silver. The cermet composite material preferably includes alloy phase portions and a ceramic phase portion. At least part of the ceramic phase portion preferably has a spinel structure.

Abstract: There are provided a method of and an apparatus for producing ultrafine metal compound particles. An electrolytic bath having an anode and a cathode is partitioned into chambers by at least one ion exchange layer. An electrolytic solution containing metal ions as a starting material for the ultrafine metal compound particles is contained in a chamber on the anodic side of one ion exchange layer, and an alkaline electrolytic solution is contained in a chamber on the cathodic side of the ion exchange layer. When a voltage is applied between the anode and the cathode, the metal ions transfer from the anodic side chamber to the cathodic side chamber through the ion exchange layer, whereby ultrafine metal compound particles are precipitated in the alkaline electrolytic solution in the cathodic side chamber.

Abstract: The electrochemical formation of oxygen ion conducting solid oxide layers is achieved by the cathodic deposition of the oxide layers from a melted salt bath of alkali element halides containing dissolved metal halides which provide the metal cations from which oxide layers are formed and attached to conductive cathodes. Oxygen is supplied at the cathodes to form oxygen ions which diffuse through the cathodically formed oxide layers and react with dissolved metal cations leading to oxide layer growth. The dissolved metal halides are regenerated at the anodes from metals and metal compounds. The process is called cathodic oxide deposition (COD) and represents a new and economic method for the fabrication of oxygen ion conductor layers for solid oxide electrochemical devices.

Abstract: Electrochemical vapor deposition (EVD) of oxygen ion conducting and mixed conducting, oxygen-ionic/electronic, oxide layers is achieved at near atmospheric pressure process conditions by employing metals and metal compounds for removal and/or recovery of the free halogen byproduct of the EVD reaction. The metals and metal compounds are employed as solids, vapors, and as oxides in intimate mixture with carbon directly within the deposition zone together with the substrates to be coated. The process leads to significant cost reduction, for instance, in the fabrication of thin layers of solid oxygen ion conducting electrolytes, for fuel cells, gas separators, and gas sensors, when compared to state-of-the-art EVD processes which are conducted under vacuum conditions.

Abstract: A clear solution and a method for preparing the solution which has a pH in the range of from 10 to 13.9 and containing sulfate ions in a concentration range less than 500 parts per million. The solution is prepared by mixing two solutions in which one solution has one equivalent of magnesium sulfate and an equivalent of sulfuric acid and the second solution has an equivalent of Ca (OH).sub.2 and two equivalents of K.sub.2 OH. It is believed that CaSO.sub.4 precipitates in the mixed solution and causes coprecipitation of potassium, perhaps as double salt with the Ca leaving OH stabilized by hydration and magnesium ions.

Abstract: A process for the preparation by electrodeposition of metal oxide film and powder compounds for ferroelectric memory materials and ferrites wherein the metal oxide includes a plurality of metals. The process comprises providing an electrodeposition bath, providing soluble salts of the metals to this bath, electrically energizing the bath to thereby cause formation of a recoverable film of metal on the electrode, recovering the resultant film as a film or a powder, and recovering powder formed on the floor of the bath. The films and powders so produced are subsequently annealed to thereby produce metal oxide for use in electronic applications. The process can be employed to produce metal-doped metal oxide film and powder compounds for transparent conductors. The process for preparation of these metal-doped metal oxides follows that described above.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the decomposition of superalloys and subsequent recovery of the metallic constituents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing irreversible linear aggregates (fibrils) of metal oxide powders by utilizing static or pulsed DC electrical fields across a relatively non-conducting liquid solvent in which organometal compounds or silicon alkoxides have been dissolved. The electric field is applied to the relatively non-conducting solution throughout the particle formation and growth process promoting the formation of either linear aggregates (fibrils) or spherical shaped particles as desired. Thus the present invention provides a physical method for altering the size, shape and porosity of precursor hydrous metal oxide or hydrous silicon oxide powders for the development of advanced ceramics with improved strength and insulating capacity.

Abstract: LiCoO.sub.2 and LiNiO.sub.2 are fully delithiated electrochemically using solid state electrolytic cells and oxidation resistant electrolytes to yield new phases of CoO.sub.2 and NiO.sub.2.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing organic and inorganic hydroxides or alkoxides, or ammonia or organic amines from the corresponding salts in an electrolysis cell which comprises an anolyte compartment containing an anode and an electrolyte solution, a catholyte compartment containing a cathode, and an intermediate compartment containing a liquid wherein said intermediate compartment is separated from the catholyte compartment by an anion selective membrane and from the anolyte compartment by a cation selective membrane, said process comprising the steps of:(A) charging to the catholyte compartment, a mixture comprising an organic or inorganic salt or an amine salt, and a liquid selected from water or organic liquids provided that sufficient water is present in the catholyte mixture to form the desired hydroxide or amine, or sufficient alcohol is present in the catholyte mixture to form the desired alkoxide;(B) passing a current through the electrolysis cell to produce the desired hydroxide, alkoxide or am