Abstract: The present invention provides a metal component collection agent for collecting one or more metal components from a metal component-containing material; the agent containing, as an active ingredient, a compound containing one or more group 2 elements of the periodic table, or a compound containing one or more lanthanoid elements. The present invention further provides a method for collecting one or more metal components from a metal component-containing material; the method comprising heating the metal component-containing material and the metal component collection agent in such a manner that a metal vapor or metal oxide vapor produced by heating the metal component-containing material is brought into contact with the metal component collection agent. According to the present invention, metal components can be easily and efficiently collected from materials containing highly useful metal components such as noble or rare metal.

Abstract: Wet-chemical methods involving the use of water-soluble hydrolytically stable metal-ion chelate precursors and an ammonium oxalate precipitant can be used in a coprecipitation procedure for the preparation of ceramic powders. Both the precursor solution and the ammonium oxalate precipitant solution are at neutral or near-neutral pH. A composition-modified barium titanate is one of the ceramic powders that can be produced. Certain metal-ion chelates can be prepared from 2-hydroxypropanoic acid and ammonium hydroxide.

Abstract: Compositions and methods suitable for removing poisonous metals from hydrocarbons are provided. The compositions comprise hydrotalcite having one or more trapping metals dispersed on the outer surface thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a magnesium secondary battery. The magnesium secondary battery includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte material in which carrier ions, used as carriers between the anode and the cathode at the time of charge/discharge, are received, wherein at least any one of the cathode and the cathode is composed of a spinel crystal structure having magnesium ions Mg.

Abstract: In order to provide a novel spinel type lithium transition metal oxide (LMO) having excellent power performance characteristics, in which preferably both the power performance characteristics and the cycle performance at high temperature life characteristics may be balanced, a novel spinel type lithium transition metal oxide with excellent power performance characteristics is proposed by defining the inter-atomic distance Li—O to be 1.978 ? to 2.006 ? as measured by the Rietveld method using the fundamental method in a lithium transition metal oxide represented by the general formula Li1+xM2?xO4 (where M is a transition metal consisting of three elements Mn, Al and Mg and x is 0.01 to 0.08).

Abstract: A granular material having a high strength and a large BET specific surface area composed of porous particles comprising calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide wherein the calcium oxide is contained in an amount of 30 to 80 weight % based on a total amount of the calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide and the porous particles have a BET specific surface area of 40 m2/g or more, or composed of porous particles comprising calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, calcium hydroxide, and magnesium hydroxide wherein a ratio of an amount of magnesium to a total of an amount of calcium and an amount of magnesium is in the range of 0.05 to 0.80, a total hydroxide content in the whole particles is in the range of 1 to 20 weight % and the porous particles have a BET specific surface area of 50 m2/g or more.

Abstract: A procedure for obtaining mixed multimetallic oxides derived from hydrotalcite type compounds, characterized in that the laminar metallic hydroxides obtained are constituted by three or four metallic cations, forming part of the sheets of the hydrotalcite type material represented by the formula: [M(II)1?x?y?zM(II)?xM(III)yM(III)?z(OH)2](An?y+z/n).mH2O. by a process comprising: (1) preparing an aqueous or organic solution containing three or more cations; (2) preparing an alkaline solution; (3) slowly combining solutions (1) and (2) to cause the co-precipitation of the cations in the form of hydroxides; (4) washing the precipitate containing the hydrotalcites with water, until removal of the non-precipitated ions; (5) drying; and (6) calcining the hydrotalcites.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ionic conductor comprising a metal composite oxide characterized by comprising oxygen defects and metal defects in a cryolite lattice. An electrochemical device comprising the ionic conductor is also disclosed. The metal composite oxide has an improved ion conductivity, because formation of an open space within a lattice is ensured by the defects of metal ion sites in the lattice. Therefore, the metal composite oxide is useful for an ionic conductor or an electrochemical device requiring ionic conductivity.

Abstract: An after-treatment system architecture and method for oxidizing the nitric oxide component of a gas stream.

Abstract: Wet-chemical methods involving the use of water-soluble hydrolytically stable metal-ion chelate precursors and the use of a nonmetal-ion-containing strong base can be used in a coprecipitation procedure for the preparation of ceramic powders. Examples of the precipitants used include tetraalkylammonium hydroxides. A composition-modified barium titanate is one of the ceramic powders that can be produced. Certain metal-ion chelates can be prepared from 2-hydroxypropanoic acid and ammonium hydroxide.

Abstract: The present invention concerns chemically stable solid lithium ion conductors, processes for their production and their use in batteries, accumulators, supercaps and electrochromic devices.

Abstract: Novel hydrated-lime slurry compositions are disclosed, which include a heat-stable polymeric dispersant. The polymeric dispersant is capable to withstand temperatures in excess of 212° F. experienced by the slurry as a result of the hydrolysis of quicklime to produce hydrated lime, and accordingly can be added to the slurry composition prior to the addition of quicklime. Methods for making such slurry compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is described for the manufacture of hydrotalcites by using at least one compound of a bivalent metal (Component A) and at least one compound of a trivalent metal (Component B), wherein at least one of these components is not used in the form of a solution, characterized in that a) at least one of the Components A and/or B which is not used in the form of a solution, shortly before or during mixing of the components, and/or b) the mixture containing the Components A and B is subjected to intensive grinding until an average particle size (D50) in the range of approx. 0.1 to 5 ?m is obtained, and optionally, after aging treatment or hydrothermal treatment, the resulting hydrotalcite product is separated, dried, and optionally calcinated.

Abstract: The fine barium titanate particles of the present invention have an average primary particle diameter of from 10 nm to less than 20 nm, a sphericity of 1.00 to 1.18, and a ratio of an average secondary particle diameter to the average primary particle diameter of 0.7 to 6.0. The fine barium titanate particles of the present invention can exhibit a small behavior particle diameter and can be readily monodispersed notwithstanding very fine particles, and as a result, can be suitably used as various dielectric materials because the particles are free from aggregation therebetween and have an excellent dispersibility.

Abstract: A process of producing a ceramic powder including providing a plurality of precursor materials in solution, wherein each of the plurality of precursor materials in solution further comprises at least one constituent ionic species of a ceramic powder, combining the plurality of precursor materials in solution with an onium dicarboxylate precipitant solution to cause co-precipitation of the ceramic powder precursor in a combined solution; and separating the ceramic powder precursor from the combined solution. The process may further include calcining the ceramic powder precursor.

Abstract: An insulating target material for obtaining a conductive complex oxide film represented by a general formula ABO3. The insulating target material includes: an oxide of an element A; an oxide of an element B; an oxide of an element X; and at least one of an Si compound and a Ge compound, the element A being at least one element selected from La, Ca, Sr, Mn, Ba, and Re, the element B being at least one element selected from Ti, V, Sr, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ru, Ir, Pb, and Nd, and the element X being at least one element selected from Nb, Ta, and V.

Abstract: A sol-gel process for preparing a mixture of metal-oxide-metal compounds wherein at least one metal oxide precursor is subjected to a hydrolysis treatment to obtain one or more corresponding metal oxide hydroxides, the metal oxide hydroxides so obtained are subjected to a condensation treatment to form the metal-oxide-metal compounds, which process is carried out in the presence of an encapsulated catalyst, whereby the catalytically active species is released from the encapsulating unit by exposure to an external stimulus, and wherein the catalytically active species released after exposure to such external stimulus is capable of catalyzing the condensation of the metal-hydroxide groups that are present in the metal oxide hydroxides so obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrothermal synthesis for preparing barium titanate powder as the essential material for a multi-layer ceramic capacitor. The object of the invention is to prepare barium titanate powder having high purity, particle size of submicron order, uniform particle distribution and excellent crystallinity, by reacting hydrous titanic acid compound prepared via sulfuric acid process with crystalline titanium oxide and barium hydroxide, as the starting material, at a temperature between 60° C. and 300° C. under a pressure between 5 Kgf/cm2 and 50 Kgf/cm2. The process for preparing barium titanate according to the present invention provides barium titanate powder having Ba/Ti molar ratio of 1.000±0.

Abstract: Anitrate-nitrogen-reducing agent for a farm product, comprising as an active ingredient a hydroxide solid solution represented by the formula (1), [(M12+)1-x(M22+)x]1-z(M3+)z(OH)2(An?)z/n·mH2O??(1) wherein M12+ represents Ca and/or Mg, M22+ represents at least one essential mineral selected from Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni and Co, M3+ represents at least one trivalent metal, An? represents an anion having a valence of n, x is a positive number in the range of 0<x<0.5, m is 0 or a positive number in the range of 0?m<10, z is a positive number in the range of 0<z<0.4, and n is a positive number in the range of 1?n?10, and/or the formula (2), (M12+)1-x(M22+)x(OH)2??(2) wherein M12+, x and M22+ are as defined in the formula (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for converting an alkaline-earth metal chloride to at least one salt chosen from the tungstates and molybdates of this metal, which comprises the reaction of the alkaline-earth metal chloride with at least one precursor of tungsten or of molybdenum chosen from tungsten oxides, molybdenum oxides, tungstates and molybdates, this reaction being carried out in a solvent constituted by KCl or by an LiCl/KCl mixture and at a temperature at least equal to the melting point of this solvent. Applications: synthesis of alkaline-earth metal tungstates and molybdates, extraction of alkaline-earth metals from media in which they are found in the form of chlorides, recovery of alkaline-earth fission products from a salt flux in the context of the reprocessing of a spent nuclear fuel in molten chloride media, etc.

Abstract: A production method of barium titanate according to the present invention comprises steps of preparing powder mixture of barium carbonate powder and titanium oxide powder and firing the powder mixture. The temperature of the powder mixture is raised to firing temperature at 100° C./minute or more in the range of 400° C. to 700° C.; and maximum temperature at firing is 700° C. or more. The present invention aims at providing a production method, wherein grain growth of barium carbonate particle can be controlled in temperature rising process when producing barium titanate by a solid phase reaction of barium carbonate and titanium oxide; and homogeneous barium titanate powder with small particle size can be produced with excellent energy efficiency.

Abstract: An inert anode material for use in electrolytic processes comprises calcium ruthenate. [Note that the nominal formula for this compound is CaRuO3, although different stoichiometries may apply in practice].

Abstract: A flame retardant includes magnesium-hydroxide particles that contain at least one transitional metal compound. The at least one transitional metal compound is at least one compound selected from a group consisting of copper compound, cobalt compound, nickel compound, zinc compound and titanium compound. The at least one transitional metal compound is contained in the magnesium-hydroxide particles with the content of 100 to 1000 mass ppm in terms of metals. In addition, the total content of the copper compound, the cobalt compound and the nickel compound is 1000 mass ppm in terms of metals or less while the total content of the zinc compound and the titanium compound is 1000 mass ppm or less.

Abstract: The invention herein is directed towards a material exhibiting superconductivity characteristics which includes a laser processed region of a metal oxide crystal. The material has a transition temperature greater than a transition temperature of the metal oxide crystal, preferably greater than 140K. The transition temperature of the material may be considered greater than the transition temperature of the metal oxide crystal if the material has a transition temperature and the metal oxide crystal has no transition temperature. The present invention is also directed to a material which includes a laser processed strontium ruthenate crystal wherein the material has a greater oxygen content than the starting strontium ruthenate crystal. The present invention is also directed towards a method for manufacturing a material exhibiting superconductivity characteristics that includes providing a metal oxide crystal and laser ablating the metal oxide crystal and a material made by this process.

Abstract: Oxygen is reduced in the presence of a catalyst at the cathode of an alkaline-electrolyte fuel cell. Catalysts of the formula Sr3?xA1+xCo4?yByO10.5?z wherein ?0.6?x?1.0; 0?y?3; and ?1.5?z?0.5; wherein A represents Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, or Y; and wherein B represents Fe, Ga, Cu, Ni, Mn, and Cr, demonstrate high catalytic activity and high chemical stability when used as the oxygen-reduction catalyst in alkaline fuel cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low-cost metal complex oxide material which has excellent stability at high temperatures and good crystallinity, while placing only a little burden on the environment. Specifically disclosed is a method for producing a metal complex oxide powder represented by the following general formula: ABO3 (wherein A represents an oxygen 12 coordinated metal element and B represents an oxygen 6 coordinated metal element). This method for producing a metal complex oxide powder is characterized in that a chloride containing the element A, a chloride containing the element B and an aqueous solution containing an alkali carbonate are reacted as represented by the reaction formula below for producing a precipitate, and then the thus-produced precipitate is fired. (1?x)CaCl2+x.MCl3+(2+0.5x)Na2Co3?(1?x)CaCO3?+0.5x.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns methods for preparing alkaline earth ferrates and the preparation of hemostatic compositions from alkaline earth ferrates. In one embodiment, the alkaline earth ferrate is strontium ferrate. In one embodiment, methods of the invention comprise heat treating mixtures of alkaline earth oxides and/or peroxides with iron oxides, such as hematite or magnetite. The subject invention also concerns hemostatic compositions produced using metallic oxides that are reacted with alkaline earth oxides and/or peroxides and the methods used to produce the hemostatic compositions.

Abstract: Novel hydrated-lime slurry compositions are disclosed, which include a heat-stable polymeric dispersant. The polymeric dispersant is capable to withstand temperatures in excess of 212° F. experienced by the slurry as a result of the hydrolysis of quicklime to produce hydrated lime, and accordingly can be added to the slurry composition prior to the addition of quicklime. Methods for making such slurry compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process to produce mixed metal oxides and metal oxide compounds. The process includes evaporating a feed solution that contains at least two metal salts to form an intermediate. The evaporation is conducted at a temperature above the boiling point of the feed solution but below the temperature where there is significant crystal growth or below the calcination temperature of the intermediate. The intermediate is calcined, optionally in the presence of an oxidizing agent, to form the desired oxides. The calcined material can be milled and dispersed to yield individual particles of controllable size and narrow size distribution.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spinel article. The article comprises a spinel material, wherein the spinel material has a monomodal grain size distribution with average grain sizes of less than or equal to about 15 micrometers, and a biaxial flexural strength of greater than or equal to about 300 megapascals when measured by a ring-on-ring flexural test as per ASTM Standard C1499-08. Disclosed herein too is a spinel article manufactured by a method comprising calcining a spinel powder; milling the powder in a milling medium; granulating the powder; screening the powder to a mesh size of about 40 to about 200 mesh; pressing the powder to form an article; burning out organics from the article; sintering the article; and hot isostatically pressing the article.

Abstract: A zirconia-containing composition and processes for synthesizing same. The composition comprises least about 99.9 percent tetragonal phase zirconia, based on the total crystalline zirconia in the zirconia-containing composition as determined by x-ray diffraction (XRD). The composition also has a substantially spherical morphology and comprises less than 100 wppm chlorine, based on the total weight of the zirconia-containing composition. The zirconia-containing composition has an average surface area of at least 80 m2/g and an average particle size of less than about 10 microns.

Abstract: A new set of additives to be sued in the preparation of inorganic materials; especially of perovskite nature is proposed. The chemical compositions of the perovskites prepared in the presence of the mentioned additives are found to be more homogenous, leading to better catalytic behavior, including higher selectivity and yields as compared to catalysts of identical formulations prepared through the conventional method of using EDTA/citrate (or other organic additive) method.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing an electroconductive mayenite type compound with good properties readily and stably at low cost without need for expensive facilities, a reaction at high temperature and for a long period of time, or complicated control of reaction. A method for preparing an electroconductive mayenite type compound comprises a step of subjecting a precursor to heat treatment, wherein the precursor contains Ca and/or Sr, and Al, a molar ratio of (a total of CaO and SrO:Al2O3) is from (12.6:6.4) to (11.7:7.3) as calculated as oxides, a total content of CaO, SrO and Al2O3 in the precursor is at least 50 mol %, and the precursor is a vitreous or crystalline material; and the method comprises a step of mixing the precursor with a reducing agent and performing the heat treatment of holding the mixture at 600-1,415° C. in an inert gas or vacuum atmosphere with an oxygen partial pressure of at most 10 Pa.

Abstract: A carbon-dioxide-gas absorber includes a main component of composite oxide, the composite oxide including Ti and X that is at least one of Sr and Ba, and the composite oxide having a molar ratio (X/Ti) of about 1.8 to about 2.2. A substance having a perovskite structure and an (X/Ti) of about 0.9 to about 1.1 or at least one selected from green sheets, green sheet wastes, green-sheet-laminate wastes, and precursors of green sheets including the substance is fired with at least one of strontium carbonate and barium carbonate. An apparatus includes a carbon-dioxide-gas-absorbing mechanical unit that allows a carbon-dioxide-gas absorber to absorb a carbon dioxide gas at about 1.0×104 to about 1.0×106 Pa and at about 500° C. to about 900° C.; and a carbon-dioxide-gas-evolving mechanical unit that evolves the absorbed carbon dioxide gas at about 1000 Pa or less and at at least about 750° C.

Abstract: To provide a heat-resistant oxide which is excellent in heat resistance and durability at high temperature and has high activity, a heat-resistant oxide which has an oxide crystal structure and in which a rate of a solid solution of a noble metal in the oxide crystal structure is 50% or more is obtained by heat-treating (secondarily baking) a precursor composition comprising zirconia, at least one coordinative element selected from the group consisting of rare earth elements, alkaline earth elements, aluminum and silicon, and at least one noble metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhodium and palladium at 650° C. or higher.

Abstract: There is provided a novel thermal barrier coating material which does not have a problem of phase transition, whose melting point is higher than its working temperature range, whose thermal conductivity is smaller than that of zirconia, and whose thermal expansion coefficient is greater than that of zirconia. The thermal barrier coating material comprises as a main component, a composition having an orthorhombic or monoclinic structure derived from perovskite (for example, a tabular perovskite structure expressed by the composition formula A2B2O7), or a tetragonal layer structure having a c axis/a axis ratio equal to or greater than 3 (for example, a K2NiF4 structure, a Sr3Ti2O7 structure, or a Sr4Ti3O10 structure), a composition expressed by the composition formula LaTaO4, or a composition having an olivine type structure expressed by the composition formula M2SiO4 or (MM?)2SiO4 (where M, M? are divalent metal elements).

Abstract: A translucent ceramic containing a main component represented by Ba{MxB1yB2z}vOw (wherein B1 is a trivalent metallic element, B2 is a quintavalent metallic element, M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Ti, Sn, Zr and Hf, x+y+z=1, 0?x?0.45, 1.00?z/y?1.04, 1.00?v?1.05, and w is a positive number required to maintain electroneutrality), or Ba{Mx(B1sB31-s)yB2z}vOw (wherein B3 is a bivalent metallic element, 0?x?0.9, 1.00?z/y?2.40, 0<s<1, and B1, B2, x+y Z and w are the same as those in the other formula). The translucent ceramic has a high refractive index, a high anomalous dispersion and excellent optical properties. The translucent ceramic is useful, for instance, as a material of an objective lens in an optical pickup.

Abstract: A ceramic body, a ceramic catalyst body, a ceramic catalyst body and related manufacturing methods are disclosed wherein a cordierite porous base material has a surface, formed with acicular particles made of a component different from that of cordierite porous base material, which has an increased specific surface area with high resistance to a sintering effect. The ceramic body is manufactured by preparing a slurry containing an acicular particle source material, preparing a porous base material, applying the slurry onto a surface of the porous base material and firing the porous base material, whose surface is coated with the slurry, to cause acicular particles to develop on the surface of the porous base material. A part of or a whole of surfaces of the acicular particles is coated with a constituent element different from that of the acicular particles.

Abstract: It is aimed at providing an oxynitride powder, which is suitable for usage as a phosphor, is free from coloration due to contamination of impurities, and mainly includes a fine ?-sialon powder. An oxynitride powder is produced by applying a heat treatment in a reducing and nitriding atmosphere, to a precursor compound including at least constituent elements M, Si, Al, and O (where M is one element or mixed two or more elements selected from Li, Mg, Ca, Sr, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu), thereby decreasing an oxygen content and increasing a nitrogen content of the precursor.

Abstract: The invention relates to nanoscale rutile or oxide powder that is obtained by producing amorphous TiO2 by mixing an alcoholic solution with a titanium alcoholate and with an aluminum alcohalate and adding water and acid. The amorphous, aluminum-containing TiO2 is isolated by removing the solvent, and is redispersed in water in the presence of a tin salt. Thermal or hydrothermal post-processing yields rutile or oxide that can be redispersed to primary particle size. The n-rutile or the obtained oxide having a primary particle size ranging between 5 and 20 nm can be incorporated into all organic matrices so that they remain transparent. Photocatalytic activity is suppressed by lattice doping with trivalent ions. If the amorphous precursor is redispersed in alcohol, or not isolated, but immediately crystallized, an anatase is obtained that can be redispersed to primary particle size.

Abstract: A particulate material is ground more efficiently using a mixture of at least two different sizes of yttrium-stabilized zirconia balls. The method facilitates preparation of photocatalysts with high activity.

Abstract: The present invention includes pure single-crystalline metal oxide and metal fluoride nanostructures, and methods of making same. These nanostructures include nanorods and nanoarrays.

Abstract: A ceramic powder having a perovskite structure is manufactured by synthesizing a ceramic powder by a dry synthesis process and then heat-treating the synthesized ceramic powder in a solution. The dry synthesis method includes a solid phase synthesis method, an oxalate method, a citric acid method and a gas phase synthesis method.

Abstract: A sintered body for thermistor element of the invention is a sintered body for thermistor element containing Sr, Y, Mn, Al, Fe, and O, wherein not only respective liquid crystal phases of a perovskite type oxide and a garnet type oxide are contained, but also a liquid crystal phase of at least one of an Sr—Al based oxide and an Sr—Fe based oxide. FeYO3 and/or AlYO3 is selected as the foregoing perovskite type oxide, and at least one member selected from Y3Al5O12, Al2Fe3Y3O12, and Al3Fe2Y3O12 is selected as the foregoing garnet type oxide, respectively by the powder X-ray diffraction analysis.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a method for producing stable alkaline metal oxide sols having a uniform particle size distribution. The method comprises the steps of: heating a metal compound at a temperature of 60° C. to 110° C. in an aqueous medium that contains a carbonate of quaternary ammonium; and carrying out hydrothermal processing at a temperature of 110° C. to 250° C. The carbonate of quaternary ammonium is (NR4)2CO3 or NR4HCO3 in which R represents a hydrocarbon group, or a mixture thereof. The metal compound is one, or two or more metal compounds selected from a group of compounds based on a metal having a valence that is bivalent, trivalent, or tetravalent.

Abstract: The negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery of the present invention includes a carbonaceous material and a silicon-based compound represented by Formula 1: Si(1-y)MyO1+x(1) where 0?y?1, ?0.5?x?0.5, and M is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a MgO single crystal for obtaining a magnesium oxide (MgO) single crystal deposition material which is prevented from splashing during the vapor deposition in, e.g., an electron beam deposition method without reducing the deposition rate, and for obtaining a MgO single crystal substrate which can form thereon, e.g., a superconductor thin film having excellent superconducting properties. A MgO single crystal having a calcium content of 150×10?6 to 1,000×10?6 kg/kg and a silicon content of 10×10?6 kg/kg or less, wherein the MgO single crystal has a variation of 30% or less in terms of a CV value in detected amounts of calcium fragment ions, as analyzed by TOF-SIMS with respect to the polished surface of the MgO single crystal. A MgO single crystal deposition material and a MgO single crystal substrate for forming a thin film obtained from the MgO single crystal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing metal oxides from metal containing solutions. Metal containing solutions are mixed with heated aqueous oxidizing solutions and processed in a continuous process reactor or batch processing system. Combinations of temperature, pressure, molarity, Eh value, and pH value of the mixed solution are monitored and adjusted so as to maintain solution conditions within a desired stability area during processing. This results in metal oxides having high or increased pollutant loading capacities and/or oxidation states. These metal oxides may be processed according to the invention to produce co-precipitated oxides of two or more metals, metal oxides incorporating foreign cations, metal oxides precipitated on active and inactive substrates, or combinations of any or all of these forms.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel sol-gel methods in which metal oxide precursor and an alcohol-based solution are mixed to form a reaction mixture that is then allowed to react to produce nanosized metal oxide particles. The methods of the present invention are more suitable for preparing nanosized metal oxide than are previously-described sol-gel methods. The present invention can provide for nanosized metal oxide particles more efficiently than the previously-described sol-gel methods by permitting higher concentrations of metal oxide precursor to be employed in the reaction mixture. The foregoing is provided by careful control of the pH conditions during synthesis and by ensuring that the pH is maintained at a value of about 7 or higher.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds on apatite basis, having the general formula M5 (AO4)3X wherein X is situated in the hexagonal channels of the apatite structure and includes Cu-atoms, processes for the preparation thereof as well as applications of these compounds. The compounds presented herein are particularly useful as pigments.