Abstract: A mixed light rare earth compound which has been obtained by chemically removing medium-to-heavy rare earth elements, Nd and impurities other than rare earth elements from an ore containing rare earth elements is fired at 500 to 1100° C. to yield a mixed rare earth oxide. A cerium-based rare earth oxy-fluoride is added to the mixed rare earth oxide to obtain a mixture. The mixture is subjected to wet-pulverization, drying, firing, disintegration and classification to thereby yield a cerium-containing abrasive.

Abstract: A method of removing an yttria-based core from a niobium-based part is described. In the method, the core is treated with an effective amount of a leaching composition. The leaching composition is based on nitric acid, or a combination of nitric acid and phosphoric acid. The core material is effectively removed from the niobium-based part, and the process of removing the core does not detrimentally affect the quality of the part. Related casting techniques for various niobium-based parts are also described.

Abstract: A method of producing and purifying promethium-147 including the steps of: irradiating a target material including neodymium-146 with neutrons to produce promethium-147 within the irradiated target material; dissolving the irradiated target material to form an acidic solution; loading the acidic solution onto a chromatographic separation apparatus containing HDEHP; and eluting the apparatus to chromatographically separate the promethium-147 from the neodymium-146.

Abstract: A process for producing a trivalent metal ion compound is provided. The process combines a trivalent metal organo-oxide M?OR1)3 with a dione under reaction conditions to yield a reaction product where R1 in each occurrence independently is a C1-C8 alkyl, C6-C12 cycloalkyl, or C6-C14 aryl; R2 in each occurrence independently is H, C1-C8 alkyl, C6-C12 cycloalkyl, or C6-C14 aryl; M is a trivalent main group or lanthanide metal ion of Al, Ga, In, Ti, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Zr, or Lu, and n is 3 with the proviso that when M is Zr n is 4. The reaction product has impurity levels of the order of tens of parts per million by weight when formed from reagent grade M?OR1)3. The reaction product is isolated and freeze-dried without need for washing to preclude wash solution contamination.

Abstract: Fused solid of an europium halide containing a less amount of europium oxyhalide impurities is prepared by a process in which a starting europium halide is heated to fuse in the presence of a halogen source and then cooled to give the fused solid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ceric oxide that has excellent heat resistance and oxygen absorbing and desorbing capability useful as a co-catalyst material suitable for a catalyst for purifying exhaust gas, that is capable of maintaining a large specific surface area even in use in a high temperature environment, and that is suitable for use in a high temperature environment, yet capable of exhibiting high oxygen absorbing and desorbing capability also in a lower temperature range, a method for preparing such ceric oxide, and a catalyst for purifying exhaust gas utilizing such ceric oxide. The ceric oxide is an oxide composed essentially of ceric oxide, and has a specific surface area of not smaller than 30.0 m2/g after calcination at 900° C. for 5 hours.

Abstract: Complex ceramic oxides of the general formula Mg2MM?O6+x where M=Rare metal ion or Yttrium or Lanthanum and M?=Sn, Sb, Zr, Hf, Ta, and Nb; and where ?0.5<x<0.5; having a defective pyrochlore structure are useful for active and passive electronic applications, as dielectrics, catalyst sensors, hosts for radioactive waste, etc. This process for the preparation of this class of compounds comprises: (i) mixing the compounds of magnesium, M and M? to get the molar ratio as 2:1:1 (ii) the mixture obtained in step (i) along with a wetting medium may be ball milled or mixed; (iii) the resultant slurry may be dried to obtain dry powder, (iv) the resultant mixture may be heated to a temperature in the range of 1000-1600° C. for the duration ranging from 3 hours to 50 hours, either in a single step or by taking out the reactant after heating, checking for the structure formation and heating again after grinding, if necessary.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for recovering copper and other metal values from metal-containing materials using controlled, super-fine grinding and medium temperature pressure leaching. Processes embodying aspects of the present invention may be beneficial for recovering a variety of metals such as copper, gold, silver, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, rhenium, zinc, uranium, and platinum group metals, from metal-bearing materials, and find particular utility in connection with the extraction of copper from copper sulfide ores and concentrates.

Abstract: A process in which isotopes of the same element belonging to the alkaline earth metals, transition elements and heavy metals having an atomic mass of less than 209, in particular lanthanide metals, are separated in an aqueous medium by treating an aqueous medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process for preparation of inorganic colourants from mixed rare earth compounds, which are directly obtained from the ore industry, without undergoing any separation, thereby enabling a cost reduction to the extend of 10-100 times. Colors ranging from brown, blue and green can be obtained by suitable doping with other metal ions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nano sized sulfide compounds of cerium and a process for the preparation thereof. More particularly, the present invention provides novel nano sized particles of cerium sulfide as well as a novel process for the preparation of nano sized sulfide compounds of cerium by the bioreduction of cerium sulfate or cerium acetate, without resorting to chemical methods. A bioprocess is disclosed to treat trivalent Cerium salt with sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) under controlled conditions to obtain a biomass, which is subjected to staggered heating upto a temperature of 600-1500° C. The sulfide of Cerium is finally separated for application in pigment industry.

Abstract: Rare earth compositions comprising nanoparticles, methods of making nanoparticles, and methods of using nanoparticles are described. The compositions of the nanomaterials discussed may include scandium (Sc), yttrium (Y), lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and lutetium (Lu). The nanoparticles can be used to make organometallics, nitrates, and hydroxides. The nanoparticles can be used in a variety of applications, such as pigments, catalysts, polishing agents, coatings, electroceramics, catalysts, optics, phosphors, and detectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a product based on a phosphate of at least one element M(IV), for example of thorium and/or of actinide(IV)(s). This process comprises the following stages: a) mixing a solution of thorium(IV) and/or of at least one actinide(IV) with a phosphoric acid solution in amounts such that the molar ratio PO 4 M ? ? ( IV ) ?is from 1.4 to 2, b) heating the mixture of the solutions in a closed container at a temperature of 50 to 250° C. in order to precipitate a product comprising a phosphate of at least one element M chosen from thorium(IV) and actinide(IV)s having a P/M molar ratio of 1.5, and c) separating the precipitated product from the solution. The precipitate can be converted to phosphate/diphosphate of thorium and of actinide(s). The process also applies to the separation of uranyl ions from other cations.

Abstract: A method for producing nanostructured multi-component or doped oxide particles and the particles produced therein. The process includes the steps of (i) dissolving salts of cations, which are either dopants or components of the final oxide, in an organic solvent; (ii) adding a dispersion of nanoparticles of a single component oxide to the liquid solution; (iii) heating the liquid solution to facilitate diffusion of cations into the nanoparticles; (iv) separating the solids from the liquid solution; and (v) heat treating the solids either to form the desired crystal structure in case of multi-component oxide or to render the homogeneous distribution of dopant cation in the host oxide structure. The process produces nanocrystalline multi-component or doped oxide nanoparticles with a particle size of 5–500 nm, more preferably 20–100 nm; the collection of particles have an average secondary (or aggregate) particle size is in the range of 25–2000 nm, preferably of less than 500 nm.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a small particle oxide powder for dielectrics. The oxide powder has a perovskite structure, an average particle diameter [D50(?m)] of 0.3 ?m or less, a particle size distribution of the average particle diameter within 3%, a particle size distribution satisfying a condition D99/D50<2.5, a content of OH? groups of 0.2 wt % and a C/A axial ratio of 1.006 or more. A method of manufacturing the oxide powder comprises the steps of mixing TiO2 particles and a compound solved with at least one element represented by A of the perovskite structure of ABO3; drying and pulverizing the mixture of TiO2 and the compound; calcining the pulverized mixture; adding the oxide containing the elements of the site A to the coated TiO2 particles and wet-mixing, drying and pulverizing; primarily calcining and pulverizing the pulverized powder under vacuum; and secondarily calcining and pulverizing the powder.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for preparing cerium oxide nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution. The cerium oxide nanoparticles obtained by the method of the invention are nearly all crystalline. The method comprises providing a first aqueous solution comprising cerium nitrate and providing a second aqueous solution comprising hexamethylenetetramine. The first and second aqueous solutions are mixed to form a mixture, and the mixture is maintained at a temperature no higher than about 320° K to form nanoparticles. The nanoparticles that are formed are then separated from the mixture. A further aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for preparing cerium oxide nanoparticles. The apparatus comprises a mixing vessel having a first compartment for holding a first aqueous solution comprising cerium nitrate and a second compartment for holding a second aqueous solution comprising hexamethylenetetramine. The mixing vessel has a retractable partition separating the first and second compartments.

Abstract: The oxide materials are of the class of ternary mesoporous mixed oxide materials including lanthanum, a metal M selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn, and zirconium or cerium such a mesoporous La—Co—Zr mixed oxide material designated as Meso LCZ[x] where x is the atomic ratio (La+Co)/La+Co+Zr. They are useful as catalysts since they show high activities for hydrocarbon oxidation and good resistance against poisoning agents. These highly ordered mesoporous mixed oxides are synthesized by: preparing an amorphous solution of a La-M precursor and adding a salt of zirconium or cerium thereto; acidifying the amorphous solution in the presence of a surfactant under conditions to obtain a clear homogeneous solution; adjusting pH of the solution under conditions to form a solid precipitate; separating the solution and surfactant from the precipitate; and calcinating the precipitate.

Abstract: Improved methods for the extraction or dissolution of metals, metalloids or their oxides, especially lanthanides, actinides, uranium or their oxides, into supercritical solvents containing an extractant are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments specifically include enhancing the extraction or dissolution efficiency with ultrasound. The present methods allow the direct, efficient dissolution of UO2 or other uranium oxides without generating any waste stream or by-products.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition comprising nano-structured metal oxide particles (particularly, zirconia) and at least one stabilizing agent, a method to produce the composition, and a method to produce the thermally stable nano-structured particles. The method to produce the nano-structured particles comprises first preparing a base solution and a nanoparticle precursor solution, then combining these solutions at a final pH 7 or greater to precipitate a colloidal hydrous oxide. The colloidal hydrous oxide is then treated with at least one silicate, phosphate, or aluminum phosphate stabilizing agent and dried. These nano-structured particle products have high thermal stability and are particularly advantageous in applications as catalysts or catalyst supports that operate at high temperatures.

Abstract: A crystalline rare-earth oxide or sulfide which has an average particle diameter of 10 nm or less and in which the rare-earth element has a low valance, in particular, crystalline EuO or EuS of nano size. The rare-earth oxide or sulfide is produced by irradiating an inorganic acid salt or organic acid salt of a rare-earth element having a high valence with a light in the range of from UV to visible light in the presence of: a compound which, upon irradiation with the light in the range of from UV to visible light induces a photooxidation-reduction reaction and simultaneously converts the rare-earth ions having a high valence into ions having a low valence; and a cholagen source compound which immediately reacts with the low valence ions to form a cholagen compound.

Abstract: In a metal oxide nanoparticle and a synthetic method thereof, and in particular to maghemite (?-Fe2O3) nanoparticles usable as a superhigh density magnetic recording substance by having good shape anisotropy and magnetic characteristics, hematite (?-Fe2O3) nanoparticles usable as a precursor to the maghemite or a catalyst, maghemite and hematite-mixed nanoparticles and a synthetic method thereof, the method for synthesizing metal oxide nanoparticles includes forming a reverse micelle solution by adding distilled water, a surfactant and a solvent to metallic salt not less than trivalent, precipitating and separating gel type amorphous metal oxide particles by adding proton scavenger to the reverse micelle solution; adjusting a molar ratio of metal oxide to the surfactant by washing the gel type amorphous metal oxide particles with a polar solvent; and crystallizing metal oxide nanoparticles through heating or reflux after dispersing the gel type amorphous metal oxide particles in a non-polar solvent having a h

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing particles, such as oxide nanoparticles, in a substantially water-free environment. The process involves mixing at least one metal compound of the formula MX(m?n) with at least one surfactant and at least one solvent, wherein M is an electropositive element of Groups 1–15; each X is independently selected from the group consisting of O1/2, F, Cl, Br, I, OR, O2CR, NR2, and R; each R is independently a hydrocarbyl group; n is equal to ½ the oxidation state of the metal M in the product particle; and m is equal to the oxidation state of the element M. The components are typically combined to form a mixture which is thermally treated for a time period sufficient to convert the metal compound into particles of the corresponding oxide, having sizes in a range between about 0.5 nanometer and about 1000 nanometers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the macroporous manganese oxide material having ferromagnetic property and a method of preparing the same, more particularly to the macroporous ferromagnetic manganese oxide having three-dimensionally ordered nanopores, which is prepared by aligning colloidal polymer particles with an average diameter of a few hundred nanometers in 3D, infiltrating a solution of the precursor compound capable of forming manganese oxide represented by the following Chemical Formula 1 into interstices of the colloidal template and heating in an oxygen atmosphere to decompose and remove the polymer template, and a method for preparing the same: La1-xCax-ySryMnO3 ??(1) wherein 0.25<x<0.35 and 0<y?0.35.

Abstract: A process for purifying a stock Sr-90 solution containing stable and radioactive impurities, holding the purified Sr-90 solution for Y-90 ingrowth, and subsequently extracting the Y-90 from the Sr-90/Y-90 solution. The stock solution is sequentially passed through two thermoxide-type sorbents (T-3 and T-5), which hold the impurities while passing the Sr-90 solution. After ingrowth of Y-90, the Sr-90/Y-90 solution is passed through sorbent T-3, which preferentially sorbs the Y-90 while passing the Sr-90 solution. The Y-90 is then eluted from the T-3 sorbent. The T-3 and T-5 sorbents are specially prepared compounds of zirconium dioxide and titanium dioxide, respectively, that preferentially sorb Y-90 under predetermined conditions of solution pH and NaCl concentration.

Abstract: A method for the preparing pure, thermally stable and high surface area ceria is described, wherein the ceria maintains a surface area of 12 m2/g after calcination at 980° C. in air for 4 hours. In the method, an aqueous solution containing Ce3+, Mg2+, organic acid and organic polymer is prepared and then evaporated to obtain a gel. The gel is calcined to obtain a mixed oxide, and then MgO is leached from the mixed oxide with a solvent to obtain raw ceria. The raw ceria is then washed, filtered and dried to obtain a ceria product.

Abstract: The contents by weight ratio of lanthanum oxide, gallium oxide, and silicon oxide, which are components, in the longitudinal cross-section and transverse cross-section of the straight part, excluding the shoulder part, of a Langasite single crystal ingot grown by pulling-up Langasite is within a range of ±0.05% with respect to the target amounts at all measured locations, and because of having a superior homogeneity in the content of components over the entire ingot, when used, for example, in a piezoelectric device such as an surface acoustic wave filter, has properties for industrial application that contribute to the stabilization of characteristics as well as reducing the costs.

Abstract: A method for separating a metal (a) from a metal (2), preferably zirconium from hafnium, which consists in dissolving said metals in an aqueous solution wherein said metals are in a state preventing them from passing through a nanofiltration membrane; treating the aqueous medium with a ligand, for example EDTA, which is complexed with metal (1) and/or metal (2), then in passing the resulting treated medium on a filtering membrane allowing through the ligand-metal complexes, but retaining the metals not complexed with the ligand.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making amorphous spherical particles of zirconium titanate and crystalline spherical particles of zirconium titanate comprising the steps of mixing an aqueous solution of zirconium salt and an aqueous solution of titanium salt into a mixed solution having equal moles of zirconium and titanium and having a total salt concentration in the range from 0.01 M to about 0.5 M. A stearic dispersant and an organic solvent is added to the mixed salt solution, subjecting the zirconium salt and the titanium salt in the mixed solution to a coprecipitation reaction forming a solution containing amorphous spherical particles of zirconium titanate wherein the volume ratio of the organic solvent to aqueous part is in the range from 1 to 5. The solution of amorphous spherical particles is incubated in an oven at a temperature ?100° C. for a period of time ?24 hours converting the amorphous particles to fine or ultrafine crystalline spherical particles of zirconium titanate.

Abstract: The invention comprises novel undoped and doped nanometer-scale CeO2 particles as well as a novel semi-batch reactor method for directly synthesizing the novel particles at room temperature. The powders exhibited a surface area of approximately 170 m2/g with a particle size of about 3–5 nm, and are formed of single crystal particles that are of uniform size and shape. The particles' surface area could be decreased down to 5 m2/g, which corresponds to a particle size of 100 nm, by thermal annealing at temperatures up to 1000° C. Control over the particle size, size distribution and state of agglomeration could be achieved through variation of the mixing conditions such as the feeding method, stirrer rate, amount of O2 gas that is bubbled through the reactor, the temperature the reaction is carried out at, as well as heating the final product at temperatures ranging from 150° to 1000° C.

Abstract: A process of recovering metals from waste lithium ion/Ni—H/Ni—Cd batteries, wherein the waste batteries are calcined and sieved to generate an ash containing metals and metal oxides. The process includes subjecting the ash to a first dissolution etching treatment, a first filtration treatment to obtain a filtrate containing Cd ions which are crystallized as cadmium sulfate, a second dissolution etching treatment for the filtered solid, and a second filtration treatment to obtain a second filtrate. Fe+3, Al+3 and rare earth metal ions in the second filtrate are precipitated as hydroxides by adding a base to the second filtrate. The remaining solution was extracted and counter-extracted to obtain aqueous solutions of Co and Ni ions, which were subjected separately to a electrolysis to deposit Co and Ni metals. Li ions in the residue solution from the electrolysis of Ni was precipitated as carbonate by adding a soluble carbonate salt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for inducing homogeneous precipitation of a metal oxide, wherein said metal is capable of existing in at least two cationic oxidation states, which process comprises the steps of: i) providing an aqueous solution of a metal in a lower cationic oxidation state; and ii) adding an oxidant capable of oxidising said metal to a higher cationic oxidation state under conditions such that the mixing of said aqueous solution and said oxidant is substantially complete before precipitation of an oxide of said metal in its higher oxidation state occurs.

Abstract: Methods for sol-gel processing that generally involve mixing together an inorganic metal salt, water, and a water miscible alcohol or other organic solvent, at room temperature with a macromolecular dispersant material, such as hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) added. The resulting homogenous solution is incubated at a desired temperature and time to result in a desired product. The methods enable production of high quality sols and gels at lower temperatures than standard methods. The methods enable production of nanosize sols from inorganic metal salts. The methods offer sol-gel processing from inorganic metal salts.

Abstract: A process for preparing phosphor particles of a host oxide doped with a rare earth or manganese which comprises: preparing an aqueous solution of salts of the host ion and of the dopant ion and a water soluble compound which decomposes under the reaction conditions to convert said salts into hydroxycarbonate, heating the solution so as to cause said compound to decompose, recovering the resulting precipitate and calcining it at a temperature of at least 500° C. Substantially monocrystalline particles can be obtained by this process.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alkaline storage battery excellent in high-rate charge and discharge characteristics, and a hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode suitable for the battery and a method for producing the same. The hydrogen-absorbing alloy is preferably produced by wet grinding in water a hydrogen-absorbing alloy having at least one rare earth element, nickel and at least one transition metal element, treating the resulting alloy powders in an aqueous alkali solution, and then consecutively treating the powders in an acidic aqueous solution. The hydrogen-absorbing alloy powders have a structure of a nickel-condensed layer being exposed and have many pores.

Abstract: An aqueous slurry of rare earth hydroxide particles which is particularly suitable for use as a sintering aid of a ceramic powder such as silicon nitride. The aqueous slurry, which is characterized by the very small average diameter of the primary particles and a low electric conductivity as well as outstandingly high stability against settling of the particles, can be prepared by a process comprising the steps of: (a) precipitating rare earth hydroxide particles by mixing aqueous solutions of a rare earth compound, e.g., nitrate, and a basic compound, e.g., ammonia, preferably, in the presence of a surface active agent; (b) collecting the precipitates to give a cake; (c) washing the cake with deionized water until the electric conductivity of the washing has decreased to 3 mS/cm or lower; and (d) re-dispersing the thus washed cake in deionized water.

Abstract: A hydrothermal method for forming nanoparticles of a rare earth element, oxygen and fluorine has been discovered. Nanoparticles comprising a rare earth element, oxygen and fluorine are also described. These nanoparticles can exhibit excellent refractory properties as well as remarkable stability in hydrothermal conditions. The nanoparticles can exhibit excellent properties for numerous applications including fiber reinforcement of ceramic composites, catalyst supports, and corrosion resistant coatings for high-temperature aqueous solutions.

Abstract: Doped, nanosize metal oxide particles have been shown to exhibit stimulated emission and continuous-wave laser action when energized appropriately, for example by electron beams. The doped particles are useful as solid state lasing devices and “laser paints”. Particles containing homogeneously distributed dopant atoms in concentrations greater than the thermodynamic solubility in the metal oxide matrix, and having in some circumstances, unusual oxidation states, have been produced.

Abstract: Metal ions are removed from solid surfaces which may be contaminated with one or more radionuclides by contacting the solid surfaces with the supercritical fluid, as, for instance, carbon dioxide containing both an acidic ligand and organic amine. The metal ions are extracted from the solid surface and the extract is separated from the solid surface.

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods of forming titanium-based mixed-metal materials and zirconium-based mixed-metal materials utilizing one or more of a reduction process, electrolysis process and iodide process. The invention also encompasses a sputtering target comprising zirconium and one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Al, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Ce, Co, Cs, Dy, Er, Fe, Gd, Hf, Ho, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Nb, Nd, Ni, Pr, Sc, Sm, Sr, Ta, Ti, V, W, Y, and Yb. The invention also encompasses a sputtering target comprising titanium and boron.

Abstract: Rare earth-transition metal oxides are used as pigments. The rare earth-transition metal oxide pigments are preferably of the formula (RexTm)Oy, where Re is at least one rare earth element, Tm is at least one transition metal, x ranges from 0.08 to 12, and y ranges from x+1 to 2x+2. The pigments are useful as colorants, and possess good stability.

Abstract: A method of decontaminating a radioactively contaminated oxide on a surface. The radioactively contaminated oxide is contacted with a diphosphonic acid solution for a time sufficient to dissolve the oxide and subsequently produce a precipitate containing most of the radioactive values. Thereafter, the diphosphonic solution is separated from the precipitate. HEDPA is the preferred diphosphonic acid and oxidizing and reducing agents are used to initiate precipitation. SFS is the preferred reducing agent.

Abstract: This invention concerns catalysts comprising a molybdenum compound of formula I, II, III, IV or V I VqMoAyOz II NiMoxByOz′ III VNiwMoxCy′Oz″ IV CoNiwMoxDyOz′″ V VNiwCorMoxEyOz″″ wherein: A is at least one cation selected from the group consisting of cations of: Cr, Sb, Co, Ce and Pb; B is at least one cation selected from the group consisting of cations of: Sb, Al and W; C is at least one cation selected from the group consisting of cations of: Fe, Zn, Al, Sb, Bi, W, Li, Ba, Nb and Sn; D is at least one cation selected from the group consisting of cations of: Ba, Mn, Al, Sb, Sn, and W; E is at least one cation selected from the group consisting of cations of: Fe, Ca, Mn, Sr, Eu, La, Zr, Ga, Sn and Pb; q, r, w, x and y are each independently a number from 0.1 to 10 and y′ is a number from 0 to 10, z, z′, z″, z′″, and z″″ are determined using the amounts and oxidation states of all cations present in each formula.

Abstract: Monazite or xenotime-based blanket coatings that stiffen ceramic fabrics without causing embrittlement at temperatures of at least as high as 2400° F. are provided. Methods for making the coatings are also provided. The methods comprise the synthesis of high purity, monazite and xenotime powders with the stoichiometric ratio of metal to phosphorous of about 1:1.

Abstract: The ferrite magnet powder of the present invention is magnet powder having, as the major phase, a La—Co magnetoplumbite ferrite where La and Co are substituted for Sr and Fe, respectively, represented by (1−x)SrO.(x/2)La2O3.(n−y/2)Fe2O3.yMO wherein x, y, and n represent mole ratios and satisfy 0.22−0.02≦x≦0.22+0.02, 0.18−0.02≦y≦0.18+0.02, and 5.2≦n≦6.0, where x>y.

Abstract: A method of removing from a metal salt ionic species contained therein involves contacting the metal salt with an ionic liquid to dissolve the metal salt, the ionic species or both. At least in the case where both the metal salt and the ionic species are dissolved, the resultant ionic liquid composition is treated to separate the ionic species therefrom and subsequently processed to recover the metal salt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a clathrate compound which can be used as a thermoelectric material, a hard material, or a semiconductor material. Silicon or carbon are formed into a clathrate lattice, and a clathrate compound is then formed in which specified doping atoms are encapsulated within the clathrate lattice, and a portion of the atoms of the clathrate lattice are substituted with specified substitution atoms. The clathrate lattice is, for example, a silicon clathrate 34 (Si34) mixed lattice of a Si20 cluster including a dodecahedron of Si atoms, and a Si28 cluster including a hexahedron of Si atoms. Suitable doping atoms are atoms from group 1A, group 2A, group 3A, group 1B, group 2B, group 3B, group 4A, group 5A, group 6A, and group 8, and suitable substitution atoms are atoms from group 1A, group 2A, group 3A, group 1B, group 2B, group 3B, group 5A, group 6A, group 7A, group 5B, group 6B, group 7B, and group 8 of the periodic table.

Abstract: This is a pyroprocess for processing spent nuclear fuel. The spent nuclear fuel is chopped into pieces and placed in a basket which is lowered in to a liquid salt solution. The salt is rich in ZrF4 and containing alkali or alkaline earth fluorides, and in particular, the salt chosen was LiF-50 mol % ZrF4 with a eutectic melting point of 500° C. Prior to lowering the basket, the salt is heated to a temperature of between 550° C. and 700° C. in order to obtain a molten solution. After dissolution the oxides of U, Th, rare earth and other like oxides, the salt bath solution is subject to hydro-fluorination to remove the oxygen and then to a fluorination step to remove U as gaseous UF6. In addition, after dissolution, the basket contains PuO2 and undissolved parts of the fuel rods, and the basket and its contents are processed to remove the Pu.

Abstract: Precious metal values, e.g., platinum, palladium and rhodium, and, optionally, other valuable elements, e.g., one or more rare earths and cerium in particular, are recovered from a wide variety of compositions of matter and articles of manufacture, for example waste or spent catalysts such as vehicular postcombustion catalysts, by (i) optionally comminuting such composition/article into a finely divided state, (ii) intimately admixing the composition/article with sulfuric acid, (iii) calcining the resulting admixture at a temperature ranging from 150° to 450° C., and (iv) leaching the calcined admixture in an aqueous medium, whether simultaneously or separately, with H+ ions and chloride ions, whereby obtaining (1) a solid residue substantially depleted of such precious metal values and, optionally, of such other elements, and (2) at least one liquid solution comprising such precious metal values and, optionally, such other elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing metal contaminants from the spent salt of a molten salt oxidation (MSO) reactor is described. Spent salt is removed from the reactor and analyzed to determine the contaminants present and the carbonate concentration. The salt is dissolved in water, and one or more reagents may be added to precipitate the metal oxide and/or the metal as either metal oxide, metal hydroxide, or as a salt. The precipitated materials are filtered, dried and packaged for disposal as waste or can be immobilized as ceramic pellets. More than about 90% of the metals and mineral residues (ashes) present are removed by filtration. After filtration, salt solutions having a carbonate concentration >20% can be spray-dried and returned to the reactor for re-use. Salt solutions containing a carbonate concentration <20% require further clean-up using an ion exchange column, which yields salt solutions that contain less than 1.0 ppm of contaminants.

Abstract: Disclosed is a positive active material for a rechargeable lithium battery. The positive active material includes at least one compound represented by formulas 1 to 4 andl a metal oxide or composite metal oxide layer formed on the compound.