Abstract: A positive electrode, a negative electrode containing lithium, and a nonaqueous electrolyte having lithium ion conductivity are installed. The nonaqueous electrolyte contains a nonaqueous solvent and a solute. The positive electrode contains a positive electrode active material containing at least manganese dioxide, a conductive agent, and a binding agent and further contains an oxide and sulfate of a rare-earth element.

Abstract: A process for the hydrometallurgical processing of manganese containing materials, the process characterized by the combination of a manganese dioxide containing feedstock and an acidic solution to form an acidic solution to be leached, and passing a volume of sulphur dioxide gas through that leach solution as the leaching agent, whereby no sintering or roasting pre-treatment step of the feedstock is undertaken and the levels of dithionate ion generated in the leach solution are less than about 5 g/l. Also described is a process for the production of electrolytic manganese dioxide.

Abstract: A process for manufacture of manganese dioxide comprising subjecting an aqueous bath comprising manganese sulfate (MnSO4) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to electrolysis in a closed cell wherein the electrolysis bath is maintained at an elevated temperature above 110° C., preferably above 115° C. and at superatmospheric pressure. Desirably the bath can be maintained at an elevated temperature between about 115° C. and 155° C. The electrolysis is carried out preferably at elevated current density of between about 12.5 and 37 Amp/sq. ft (135 and 400 Amp/sq. meter) which allows for smaller or fewer electrolysis units. An MnO2 product having a specific surface area (SSA) within desired range of between 18-45 m2/g can be obtained. A doping agent, preferably a soluble titanium dopant is employed to help obtain the desired specific surface area (SSA) of the MnO2 product. The manganese dioxide product in zinc/MnO2 alkaline cells gives excellent service life, particularly in high power application.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved cathode material comprised of electrolytic manganese dioxide having high discharge capacity at high discharge rates and methods of producing such electrolytic manganese dioxide by electrolysis in an electrolytic cell. The methods are basically comprised of maintaining a heated high purity aqueous electrolyte solution comprising specific amounts of sulfuric acid and manganese sulfate in the electrolytic cell and maintaining the amounts of the sulfuric acid and manganese ion in the solution at a ratio of sulfuric acid to manganese ion greater than 2. An electric current is applied to the electrodes of the electrolytic cell whereby the anodic electrode current density is in the range of from about 2.5 to about 6 amperes per square foot and the high discharge capacity EMD produced is deposited on the anodic electrode.

Abstract: A process for manufacture of manganese dioxide comprising subjecting an aqueous bath comprising manganese sulfate (MnSO4) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to electrolysis in a closed cell wherein the electrolysis bath is maintained at an elevated temperature above 110° C., preferably above 115° C. and at superatmospheric pressure. Desirably the bath can be maintained at an elevated temperature between about 115° C. and 155° C. The electrolysis is carried out preferably at elevated current density of between about 12.5 and 37 Amp/sq.ft (135 and 400 Amp/sq. meter) of the anode surface which allows for smaller or fewer electrolysis units. An MnO2 product having a specific surface area (SSA) within desired range of between 18-45 m2/g can be obtained. A doping agent, preferably a soluble titanium dopant can also be employed to help obtain the desired specific surface area (SSA) of the MnO2 product.

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: The present invention provides improved cathode material comprised of electrolytic manganese dioxide having high discharge capacity at high discharge rates and methods of producing such electrolytic manganese dioxide by electrolysis in an electrolytic cell. The methods are basically comprised of maintaining a heated high purity aqueous electrolyte solution comprising sulfuric acid and manganese sulfate in the electrolytic cell, the manganese sulfate being present in the solution whereby it contains in the range of from about 5 to about 50 grams of manganese per liter of solution. An electric current is applied to the electrodes of the electrolytic cell whereby the anodic electrode current density is in the range of from about 2.5 to about 6 amperes per square foot.

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.