Abstract: Methods for preparing a tricalcium phosphate coarse particle composition are provided. Aspects of the methods include converting an initial tricalcium phosphate particulate composition to hydroxyapatite, sintering the resultant hydroxyapatite to produce a second tricalcium phosphate composition and then mechanically manipulating the second tricalcium phosphate composition to produce a tricalcium phosphate coarse particle composition. The subject methods and compositions produced thereby find use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a quantum dot, the method including: mixing of a Group II precursor and a Group III precursor in a solvent to prepare a first mixture; heating the first mixture at a temperature of about 200° C. to about 350° C.; adding a Group V precursor and a Group VI precursor to the first mixture while maintaining the first mixture at the temperature of about 200° C. to about 350° C. to prepare a second mixture; and maintaining the second mixture at the temperature of about 200° C. to about 350° C. to form a quantum dot.

Abstract: A cyclic process for the preparation of barium sulphate and lithium-iron phosphate comprising (i) preparing an aqueous solution containing lithium and sulphate ions and (ii) adding solid barium hydroxide at a temperature of more than 50° C., wherein the barium hydroxide is added over a period of less than 15 minutes. Also, barium sulphate obtainable by the process according to the invention.

Abstract: A method for preparing semiconductor nanocrystals comprises reacting cation precursors and anion precursors in a reaction mixture including one or more acids, one or more phenol compounds, and a solvent to produce semiconductor nanocrystals having a predetermined composition. A method for forming a coating on at least a portion of a population of semiconductor nanocrystals is also disclosed. The method comprises forming a first mixture including a population of semiconductor nanocrystals, one or more amine compounds, and a first solvent; adding cation precursors and anion precursors to the first mixture at a temperature sufficient for growing a semiconductor material on at least a portion of an outer surface of at least a portion of the population of semiconductor nanocrystals; and initiating addition of one or more acids to the first mixture after addition of the cation and anion precursors is initiated. Semiconductor nanocrystals and populations thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to electrode materials, electrochemical cells employing such materials, and methods of synthesizing such materials. The electrode materials have a crystal structure with a high ratio of Li to metal M, which is found to improve capacity by enabling the transfer of a greater amount of lithium per metal, and which is also found to improve stability by retaining a sufficient amount of lithium after charging. Furthermore, synthesis techniques are presented which result in improved charge and discharge capacities and reduced particle sizes of the electrode materials.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides an electrocatalyst, including a four-element catalyst having a formula of XYZP, wherein X is Pt or Pd, Y and Z are different elements selected from Group 6, Group 8, Group 9, or Group 11 elements, and P is phosphorous, wherein Group 6 elements include Cr, Mo, or W, Group 8 elements include Fe, Ru, or Os, Group 9 elements include Co, Rh, or Ir, and Group 11 elements include Cu, Ag, or Au.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for the preparation of metal phosphide nanocrystals using a phosphite compound as a phosphorous precursor. More specifically, disclosed herein is a method for preparing metal phosphide nanocrystals by reacting a metal precursor with a phosphite compound in a solvent. A method is also provided for passivating a metal phosphide layer on the surface of a nanocrystal core by reacting a metal precursor with a phosphite compound in a solvent. The metal phosphide nanocrystals have uniform particle sizes and various shapes.

Abstract: A phosphor is formed with a glass coating layer on a surface of a phosphor grain to have improved moisture and/or thermal stability. A method for manufacturing the phosphor comprises preparing phosphor gains excitable by light, and forming a glass coating layer on a surface of each phosphor grain. The glass coating layer may be formed by mixing the phosphor grains with a glass composition; heat-treating a mixture of the phosphor grains and the glass composition to make the glass composition melt and surround the phosphor grains; and cooling and breaking the heat-treated mixture to provide phosphors, each comprising the phosphor grain having the glass coating layer formed on a surface of the phosphor grain.

Abstract: There is disclosed a composition for converting electromagnetic energy to ultraviolet C (UVC) radiation or radiation of a shorter wavelength, the composition comprising at least one phosphor capable of converting an initial electromagnetic energy (A) to an electromagnetic energy (B) comprising UVC radiation or radiation of a shorter wavelength, and an organic or inorganic media containing said phosphor. There is also a method of sterilizing an article by exposing it to UVC radiation or radiation of a shorter wavelength for a time sufficient to deactivate or kill at least one microorganism and/or for a time sufficient to inhibit abnormal cell growth within the body, when said composition is in an implantable medical device. A method of coating an article with such compositions is also disclosed.

Abstract: A nonlinear optic article for difference frequency generation is provided. The article comprises a wave mixer configured to generate a difference frequency mixing signal, the wave mixer comprising a compound made from one or more noncentrosymmetric crystal-glass phase-change materials comprising one or more chalcogenide compounds that are structurally one dimensional and comprise a polymeric 1?[PSe6?] chain or a polymeric 1?[P2Se62?] chain, wherein the one or more chalcogenide compounds are capable of difference frequency generation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing an enantioenriched phosphorus-stereogenic, tertiary phosphine. Secondary phosphines are contacted with an alkyl halide and base in the presence of a chiral metal catalyst thereby producing the enantioenriched phosphorus-stereogenic, tertiary phosphine for subsequent use in homogeneous catalysis reactions.

Abstract: A phosphor is formed with a glass coating layer on a surface of a phosphor grain to have improved moisture and/or thermal stability. A method for manufacturing the phosphor comprises preparing phosphor gains excitable by light, and forming a glass coating layer on a surface of each phosphor grain. The glass coating layer may be formed by mixing the phosphor grains with a glass composition; heat-treating a mixture of the phosphor grains and the glass composition to make the glass composition melt and surround the phosphor grains; and cooling and breaking the heat-treated mixture to provide phosphors, each comprising the phosphor grain having the glass coating layer formed on a surface of the phosphor grain.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a process for removing phosphorus-containing colloids and their precursors from an iron chloride solution comprising: (a) heating the iron chloride solution comprising impurities selected from the group consisting of phosphorus-containing colloid, phosphorus-containing colloid precursor, and mixtures thereof, at a temperature of about 100° C. to about 300° C., at least autogenous pressure and for a period of time sufficient to transform the impurities into a filterable solid; and (b) separating the solid from the iron chloride solution. In one embodiment, the iron chloride solution is a byproduct of the chloride process for making titanium dioxide.

Abstract: The inventors demonstrate herein that various Zintl compounds can be useful as thermoelectric materials for a variety of applications. Specifically, the utility of Ca3AlSb3, Ca5Al2Sb6, Ca5In2Sb6, Ca5Ga2Sb6, is described herein. Carrier concentration control via doping has also been demonstrated, resulting in considerably improved thermoelectric performance in the various systems described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a catalyst including platinum phosphide having a cubic structure, a method of making the catalyst, and a fuel cell utilizing the catalyst. The present disclosure also relates to method of making electrical power utilizing a PEMFC incorporating the catalyst. Also disclosed herein is a catalyst including a platinum complex wherein platinum is complexed with a nonmetal or metalloid. The catalyst with the platinum complex can exhibit good electro-chemically active properties.

Abstract: Disclosed are an electrode active material, having a composition of SnPx (0.9?x?0.98), an electrode comprising the same, and a lithium secondary battery comprising the electrode. Also disclosed is a method for preparing an electrode active material having a composition of SnPx (0.9?x?0.98), the method comprising the steps of: preparing a mixed solution of a Sn precursor, trioctyl phosphine (TOP) and trioctyl phosphine oxide (TOPO); and heating the solution. The application of the teardrop-shaped single-crystal SnP0-94 particles as an anode active material for lithium secondary batteries can provide an anode having very excellent cycling properties because the active material has a reversible capacity, which is about two times as large as that of a carbon anode, along with a very low irreversible capacity, and it is structurally very stable against Li ion intercalation/deintercalation in a charge/discharge process, indicating little or no change in the volume thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a crystalline ion-conducting material made of LiMPO4 nanoparticles, wherein M is selected from Cr, Mn, Co, Fe and Ni, in addition to mixtures thereof and the nanoparticles have an essentially flat prismatic shape. The invention also relates to a method for producing said type of crystalline ion-conducting material which consists of the following steps: a precursor component is produced in a solution front a lithium compound of a component containing metal ions M and a phosphate compound, the precursor compound is subsequently precipitated from the solution and, optionally, a suspension of the precursor compound is formed, the precursor compound and/or the suspension is dispersed and/or ground, and the precursor compound and/or the suspension is converted under hydrothermal conditions and subsequently, the crystalline material is extracted.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method for removing colloidal titanium dioxide and titanium oxychloride from by-product hydrochloric acid. The method includes adding phosphate ion source and quaternary amine to the by-product acid to cause the titanium dioxide and the titanium oxychloride to form a precipitate. The precipitate can then be separated from the acid, thus producing a decontaminated hydrochloric acid product with reduced levels of titanium.

Abstract: Novel reactor, systems and methods of preparing nanocrystals in a continuous flow-through process are provided. The novel reactor is highly configurable and can be modified to achieve desired reaction times of a flow through mixture. The reactor is designed to provide uniform, efficient heating of the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Phosphine gas is generated by agitating a reaction mixture of a metal phosphide and water with agitation air in a reaction pot of a phosphine gas generator. The resulting phosphine gas is then diluted with dilution air to produce a fumigant phosphine gas which is directly delivered to a commodity for fumigation. The reaction pot does not have any rotating means such as agitators, rotors, or stirrers. The generator provides on-site generation of phosphine gas in a rapid manner improving the fumigation efficiency for a commodity, such as grain, preferably contained within a storage structures, such as a grain silo. The generator has a built in deactivation system for the unused metal phosphide and phosphine gas.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte including a lithium (Li) element, a phosphorus (P) element and a sulfur (S) element, the 31P MAS NMR spectrum thereof having a peak ascribed to a crystal at 90.9±0.4 ppm and 86.5±0.4 ppm; and the ratio (xc) of the crystal in the solid electrolyte being from 60 mol % to 100 mol %.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of forming a spherical InP quantum dot, including: providing a compound containing indium (In); dissolving the compound in alcohol to form a solution; and introducing a compound containing phosphorus (P) into the solution. The method is advantageous because a spherical InP quantum dot can be formed, the method is environment-friendly because alcohol is used as a solvent, because InP quantum dots can be produced in large quantities because the InP quantum dots can be formed while putting all reactants into a reactor and slowly heating the reactants, and because the desired InP quantum dots can be easily recovered by decreasing the temperature of a reactor or by performing centrifugal separation at low speed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the manufacture of a ceria based polishing composition, comprising (a) suspending an inorganic cerium salt or cerium hydroxide with a cerium content calculated as cerium oxide in the range of 50%-100% based on Total rare earth oxide (TREO) in an aqueous medium thereby obtaining an aqueous suspension, (b) treating said aqueous suspension with an acid or a salt of an acid selected from the group of HF, H3PO4 and H2SO4, thereby obtaining a solid suspended in said aqueous medium, (c) separating said solid from said aqueous medium, and (d) calcining the separated solid at a temperature between 750° C. and 1,200° C. and grinding the calcined solid to grain sizes in the range of 0.5 ?m to 5.0 ?m.

Abstract: Bisphosphines are prepared by reacting a phosphine with a dihalide in the presence of an acid; characteristically, bisphosphonium compounds are initially formed and then converted into the bisphosphines.

Abstract: Mixing small amounts of an inorganic halide, such as NaCl, to basic copper carbonate followed by calcination at a temperature sufficient to decompose the carbonate results in a significant improvement in resistance to reduction of the resulting copper oxide. The introduction of the halide can be also achieved during the precipitation of the carbonate precursor. These reduction resistant copper oxides can be in the form of composites with alumina and are especially useful for purification of gas or liquid streams containing hydrogen or other reducing agents. These reduction resistant copper oxides can function at near ambient temperatures.

Abstract: A superconductor which comprises a new compound composition substituting for perovskite copper oxides. The superconductor is characterized by comprising a compound which is represented by the chemical formula A(TM)2Pn2 [wherein A is at least one member selected from the elements in Group 1, the elements in Group 2, or the elements in Group 3 (Sc, Y, and the rare-earth metal elements); TM is at least one member selected from the transition metal elements Fe, Ru, Os, Ni, Pd, or Pt; and Pn is at least one member selected from the elements in Group 15 (pnicogen elements)] and which has an infinite-layer crystal structure comprising (TM)Pn layers alternating with metal layers of the element (A).

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a III-V compound in the form of nanoparticles, such as those used in semi-conductors. The reaction proceeds at atmospheric pressure in a reaction solution by the reaction of a III compound source and a V compound source. The reaction proceeds in solvent of high boiling point. The solvent contains a stabiliser and a base. The manufactured III-V compound is precipitated from the reaction solution, isolated, purified and analysed.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing transition metal phosphide. In one embodiment, the method has the steps of preparing a transition metal lignosulfonate, mixing the transition metal lignosulfonate with phosphoric acid to form a mixture, and subjecting the mixture to a microwave radiation for a duration of time effective to obtain a transition metal phosphide.

Abstract: Calcium peroxyphosphate compounds and dental compositions comprising these compounds that combine both whitening/stain removal of teeth with remineralization are disclosed. The calcium peroxyphosphate compounds are capable of releasing, in an aqueous environment, whitening and remineralization effective amounts of calcium ion, phosphate ion, and active oxygen. Preferred compounds are calcium peroxymonophosphate or calcium diperoxymonophosphate compounds. These compounds may be used in humans and other animals, including other mammals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing morphologically uniform and virtually monodisperse metal-containing nanoparticles, characterized in that the separation both in time and space of the nucleation and growth processes is achieved by regulation of the temperature and volume flows, with the reaction and particle formation preferably being initiated and carried out in a suitable microstructured modular reactor system. Modularization of the microreaction plant (micro heat exchanger, residence reactor, micromixer, etc.) allows optimal setting of the respective chemical and process-engineering process parameters and thus the preparation of virtually monodisperse and morphologically uniform nanoparticles.

Abstract: A dispersion containing aluminum oxide of pyrogenic origin and water, where the aluminum oxide is present in the form of aggregated primary particles with a BET surface area of 20 to 200 m2/g and has a mean, volume-based aggregate diameter in the dispersion of less than 100 nm, and is surface-modified with (i) organophosphonic acids, or salts thereof, and (ii) at least one hydroxycarboxylic acids or salts thereof.

Abstract: A phosphor is formed with a glass coating layer on a surface of a phosphor grain to have improved moisture and/or thermal stability. A method for manufacturing the phosphor comprises preparing phosphor grains excitable by light, and forming a glass coating layer on a surface of each phosphor grain. The glass coating layer may be formed by mixing the phosphor grains with a glass composition; heat-treating a mixture of the phosphor grains and the glass composition to make the glass composition melt and surround the phosphor grains; and cooling and breaking the heat-treated mixture to provide phosphors, each comprising the phosphor grain having the glass coating layer formed on a surface of the phosphor grain.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound represented by the following formula 1. A lithium secondary battery using the same compound as electrode active material, preferably as cathode active material, is also disclosed. LiMP1-xAxO4??[Formula 1] wherein M is a transition metal, A is an element having an oxidation number of +4 or less and 0<x<1. The electrode active material comprising a compound represented by the formula of LiMP1-xAxO4 shows excellent conductivity and charge/discharge capacity compared to LiMPO4.

Abstract: The main object of the invention is to obtain LiMnPO4 having an excellent crystalline and a high purity at a lower temperature. The present invention provides a method for manufacturing LiMnPO4 including the steps of: precipitating for obtaining precipitate of manganese hydroxide (Mn(OH)x) by adding a precipitant to a Mn source solution in which a Mn source is dissolved; reducing for obtaining a reduced dispersion solution by dispersing the precipitate in a reducing solvent; adding for obtaining an added dispersion solution by adding a Li source solution and a P source solution to the reduced dispersion solution; pH adjusting for adjusting the pH of the added dispersion solution in the range of 3 to 6 to obtain a pH-adjusted dispersion solution; and synthesizing for synthesizing by reacting the pH-controlled dispersion solution by a heating under pressure condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a phosphonium borate compound represented by Formula (I) (hereinafter, the compound (I)). The invention has objects of providing (A) a novel process whereby the compound is produced safely on an industrial scale, by simple reaction operations and in a high yield; (B) a novel compound that is easily handled; and (C) novel use as catalyst. Formula (I): (R1)(R2)(R3)PH.BAr4??(I) wherein R1, R2, R3 and Ar are as defined in the specification. The process (A) includes reacting a phosphine with a) HCl or b) H2SO4 to produce a) a hydrochloride or b) a sulfate; and reacting the salt with a tetraarylborate compound. The compound (B) has for example a secondary or tertiary alkyl group as R1 and is easily handled in air without special attention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a composition of nanoparticles of at least one crystalline metal oxide from at least one organometallic precursor. One precursor(s) which can react spontaneously to oxidation is selected; a liquid solution of the precursor(s) is produced in a solvent non-aqueous medium, and the liquid solution is placed in contact with at least one oxidant in adapted reactional conditions in order to directly result in the production of nanoparticles of crystalline metal oxide(s). The invention also relates to a composition of nanoparticles obtained in the form of a colloidal liquid solution.

Abstract: Bisphosphines are prepared by reacting a phosphine with a dihalide in the presence of an acid; characteristically, bisphosphonium compounds are initially formed and then converted into the bisphosphines.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a process for industrially advantageously producing InP fine particles having a nano-meter size efficiently in a short period of time and an InP fine particle dispersion, and there are provided a process for the production of InP fine particles by reacting an In raw material containing two or more In compounds with a P raw material containing at least one P compound in a solvent wherein the process uses, as said two or more In compounds, at least one first In compound having a group that reacts with a functional group of P compound having a P atom adjacent to an In atom to be eliminated with the functional group in the formation of an In-P bond and at least one second In compound having a lower electron density of In atom in the compound than said first In compound and Lewis base solvent as said solvent, and InP fine particles obtained by the process.

Abstract: Tractable metal oxide sols are made by combining at least one metal oxide compound, at least one organofunctional silane, at least one boron oxide compound, and a liquid, or metal oxide sols are made by combining at least one metal oxide compound, at least one organofunctional silane, at least one of an acid catalyst and salt/complex catalyst, and a liquid. Also disclosed are nanocomposites containing the metal oxide sols and at least one of metal nanoparticle, metal-chalcogenide nanoparticle, metal oxide nanoparticle, and metal phosphate nanoparticle. Further disclosed are composites containing a polymer material and at least one of the metal oxide sol and the nanocomposite.

Abstract: A method of storing and dispensing a fluid includes providing a vessel configured for selective dispensing of the fluid therefrom. A solvent mixture comprising an ionic liquid and a cosolvent is provided within the vessel. The fluid is contacted with the solvent mixture for take-up of the fluid by the solvent mixture. The fluid is released from the ionic liquid and dispensed from the vessel.

Abstract: A method of dividing single crystals, particularly of plates of parts thereof, is proposed, which can comprise: pre-adjusting the crystallographic cleavage plane (2?) relative to the cleavage device, setting a tensional intensity (K) by means of tensional fields (3?, 4?), determining an energy release rate G(?) in dependence from a possible deflection angle (?) from the cleavage plane (2?) upon crack propagation, controlling the tensional fields (3?, 4?) such that the crack further propagates in the single crystal, wherein G(0)?2?e(0) and simultaneously at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: ? ? G ? ? ? ? = 0 ? 2 ? ? e h ? ? if ? ? ? 2 ? G ? ? 2 ? 0 ? ? or ( 2.1 ) ? ? G ? ? ? ? 2 ? ? e h ? ? ? ? : ? ? 1 < ? < ? 2 , ( 2.

Abstract: The invention provides a new route for the synthesis of carbon-coated powders having the olivine or NASICON structure, which form promising classes of active products for the manufacture of rechargeable lithium batteries. Carbon-coating of the powder particles is necessary to achieve good performances because of the rather poor electronic conductivity of said structures. For the preparation of coated LiFePO4, sources of Li, Fe and phosphate are dissolved in an aqueous solution together with a polycarboxylic acid and a polyhydric alcohol. Upon water evaporation, polyesterification occurs while a mixed precipitate is formed containing Li, Fe and phosphate. The resin-encapsulated mixture is then heat treated at 700° C. in a reducing atmosphere. This results in the production of a fine powder consisting of an olivine LiFePO4 phase, coated with conductive carbon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of growing a single crystal from a melt contained in a crucible. The method includes the step of making the temperature of a melt increase gradually to a maximum point and then decrease gradually along the axis parallel to the lengthwise direction of the single crystal from the interface of the single crystal and the melt to the bottom of the crucible. The increasing temperature of the melt is kept to preferably have a greater temperature gradient than the decreasing temperature thereof. Preferably, the axis is set to pass through the center of the single crystal. Preferably, the convection of the inner region of the melt is made smaller than that of the outer region thereof.

Abstract: A method for producing fine particles having in their molecules at least one element “X” selected from P, As and Sb and at least one element “Y” selected from Ga, In, Zn, Cd, Si, Ge and Sn, the method comprising the steps of (a) mixing a raw material for said element X and a raw material for said element Y in a solvent to prepare a raw material mixture solution, and (b) increasing the temperature of said raw material mixture solution to a predetermined reaction temperature on the basis of a predetermined interrelationship between a reaction temperature and an average particle diameter of fine particles to be generated, and a method for producing indium organocarboxylate, which comprises reacting an indium alkoxide and an organic carboxylic anhydride.

Abstract: A semiconductor nanocrystal, wherein the semiconductor nanocrystal shows maximum luminescence peaks at two or more wavelengths and most of the atoms constituting the nanocrystal are present at the surface of the nanocrystal to form defects

Abstract: A method for removing and recovering phosphorus from a spent adsorbent medium to result in a regenerated medium and a phosphorus-containing solution useful as a fertilizer.

Abstract: A phosphorus compound-complexed activated carbon capable of easily realizing an electric double layer capacitor having high capacitance per unit volume and excellent durability is provided. A phosphorus compound-complexed activated carbon for an electric double layer capacitor having a phosphorus atom content of 1,000 ppm or more, and 20,000 ppm or less, a BET specific surface area of 1,600 m2/g or more, and 2,200 m2/g or less, an average pore diameter of 1.7 nm or more, and 2.1 nm or less, and a pore volume of pores having pore diameters within the range of 1.4 nm to 2.0 nm calculated by a Cranston-Inkley method of 0.25 cm3/g or more. This phosphorus compound-complexed activated carbon is produced by kneading an activated carbon and phosphoric acid at 130° C. to 170° C., conducting molding, and after executing a first heating process in which heating is conducted at 100° C. to 230° C., a second heating process in which heating is conducted at 400° C. to 600° C.

Abstract: Phosphine gas is generated by agitating a reaction mixture of a metal phosphide and water with agitation air in a reaction pot of a phosphine gas generator. The resulting phosphine gas is then diluted with dilution air to produce a fumigant phosphine gas which is directly delivered to a commodity for fumigation. The reaction pot does not have any rotating means such as agitators, rotors, or stirrers. The generator provides on-site generation of phosphine gas in a rapid manner improving the fumigation efficiency for a commodity, such as grain, preferably contained within a storage structures, such as a grain silo. The generator has a built in deactivation system for the unused metal phosphide and phosphine gas.

Abstract: Novel metal hydroxide derivatives which chemically combine positively charged metal hydroxide layers with negatively charged phosphorus-containing species, which can be either anionic organophosphorus materials or phosphorus-containing polymeric anions, are described. The metal hydroxide derivatives are useful flame retardants through their ability to be completely dispersed and their formation of a crust or char to prevent flame propagation.

Abstract: An electrode material for an anode of a rechargeable lithium battery, containing a particulate comprising an amorphous Sn.A.X alloy with a substantially non-stoichiometric ratio composition. For said formula Sn.A.X , A indicates at least one kind of an element selected from a group consisting of transition metal elements, X indicates at least one kind of an element selected from a group consisting of O, F, N, Mg, Ba, Sr, Ca, La, Ce, Si, Ge, C, P, B, Pb, Bi, Sb, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Zn, Be, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, As, Se, Te, Li and S, where the element X is not always necessary to be contained. The content of the constituent element Sn of the amorphous Sn.A.X alloy is Sn/(Sn+A+X)=20 to 80 atomic %.