Abstract: A method for the hydrothermal synthesis of bismuth germanium oxide comprises dissolving a bismuth precursor (e.g., bismuth nitrate pentahydrate) and a germanium precursor (e.g., germanium dioxide) in water and heating the aqueous solution to an elevated reaction temperature for a length of time sufficient to produce the eulytite phase of bismuth germanium oxide (E-BGO) with high yield. The E-BGO produced can be used as a scintillator material. For example, the air stability and radioluminescence response suggest that the E-BGO can be employed for medical applications.

Abstract: Provided are a composite including a lithium titanium oxide and a bismuth titanium oxide, a method of manufacturing the composite, an anode active material including the composite, an anode including the anode active material, and a lithium secondary battery having improved cell performance by including the anode.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a rechargeable battery is provided comprising an anode having an active material including MSb2O4 having a purity level of greater than 93 percent by weight, wherein M is a metal. The metal may have an oxidation state of 2+ and may include transition metals and/or alkali-earth metals. The anode active material may be synthesized using metal acetates or metal oxides. The synthesis may include heating at a first temperature to remove oxygen and water and reacting at a second temperature to form the MSb2O4 structure, which may be a spinel crystal structure.

Abstract: To provide is a p-type oxide, including an oxide, wherein the oxide includes: Cu; and an element M, which is selected from p-block elements, and which can be in an equilibrium state, as being present as an ion, wherein the equilibrium state is a state in which there are both a state where all of electrons of p-orbital of an outermost shell are lost, and a state where all of electrons of an outermost shell are lost, and wherein the p-type oxide is amorphous.

Abstract: A template-free reverse micelle (RM) based method is used to synthesize pyrochlore nanostructures having photocatalytic activity. In one embodiment, the method includes separately mixing together a first acid stabilized aqueous solution including pyrochlore precursor A and a second acid stabilized aqueous solution including pyrochlore precursor B with an organic solution including a surfactant to form an oil-in-water emulsion. Next, equimolar solutions of the first and second acid stabilized oil-in-water emulsions are mixed together. Then, the mixture of the first and second acid stabilized oil-in-water emulsion is treated with a base to produce a precipitate including pyrochlore precursors A and B. After which, the precipitate is dried to remove volatiles. The precipitate is then calcined in the presence of oxygen to form a pyrochlore nanostructure, such as a bismuth titanate (Bi2Ti2O7) pyrochlore nanorod. The method of synthesizing the pyrochlore nanorod is template-free.

Abstract: A sol-flame method includes 1) forming a sol-gel precursor solution of a source of a dopant; 2) coating a nanostructure or a thin film with the sol-gel precursor solution; and 3) subjecting the coated nanostructure or the coated thin film to flame annealing to form a doped nanostructure or a doped thin film.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new thermoelectric conversion material represented by the chemical formula 1: Bi1-xCu1-yO1-zTe, where 0?x<1, 0?y<1, 0?z<1 and x+y+z>0. A thermoelectric conversion device using said thermoelectric conversion material has good energy conversion efficiency.

Abstract: A method for the production of a nanocrystalline bismuth-molybdenum mixed oxide, the use of the bismuth-molybdenum mixed oxide as catalyst for chemical conversions, in particular for a conversion of propylene to acrolein and/or acrylic acid or of isobutylene to methacrolein and/or methacrylic acid, as well as a catalyst that contains the bismuth-molybdenum mixed oxide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a superconducting compound which has a structure obtained by partially substituting oxygen ions of a compound, which is represented by the following chemical formula; LnTMOPh [wherein Ln represents at least one element selected from Y and rare earth metal elements (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu), TM represents at least one element selected from transition metal elements (Fe, Ru, Os, Ni, Pd and Pt), and Pn represents at least one element selected from pnictide elements (N, P, As and Sb)] and has a ZrCuSiAs-type crystal structure (space group P4/nmm), with at least one kind of monovalent anion (F?, Cl? or Br?). The superconducting compound alternatively has a structure obtained by partially substituting Ln ions of the compound with at least one kind of tetravalent metal ion (Ti4+, Zr4+, Hf4+, C4+, Si4+, Ge4+, Sn4+ or Pb4+) or a structure obtained by partially substituting Ln ions of the compound with at least one kind of divalent metal ion (Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+ or Ba2+).

Abstract: A subject for the invention is to provide a positive-electrode material, which has high capacity and high output and is inhibited from suffering a decrease in output with repetitions of charge and use. The invention provides a positive-electrode material for lithium secondary battery, which comprises a secondary particle of a lithium/transition metal composite oxide containing boron and/or bismuth, and wherein the atomic ratio of the sum of boron and bismuth to the sum of the metallic elements other than lithium, boron, and bismuth in a surface part of the secondary particle is from 5 times to 70 times the atomic ratio in the whole secondary particle.

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: A subject for the invention is to provide a positive-electrode material, which has high capacity and high output and is inhibited from suffering a decrease in output with repetitions of charge and use. The invention provides a positive-electrode material for lithium secondary battery, which comprises a secondary particle of a lithium/transition metal composite oxide containing boron and/or bismuth, and wherein the atomic ratio of the sum of boron and bismuth to the sum of the metallic elements other than lithium, boron, and bismuth in a surface part of the secondary particle is from 5 times to 70 times the atomic ratio in the whole secondary particle.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of the present invention includes (a) a material preparation step of preparing a material containing lithium, manganese, and bismuth, and (b) a firing step of firing the material prepared by the material preparation step at a temperature of 830° C. to 1,000° C. In the material preparation step, the material is prepared such that the residual amount of bismuth in spinel-type lithium manganate yielded by the firing step is 0.01 mol % or less with respect to manganese.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal oxide nanostructure comprises disposing a chelated oligomeric metal oxide precursor on a solvent-soluble template to form a first structure comprising a deformable chelated oligomeric metal oxide precursor layer; setting the deformable chelated oligomeric metal oxide precursor layer to form a second structure comprising a set metal oxide precursor layer; dissolving the solvent-soluble template with a solvent to form a third structure comprising the set metal oxide precursor layer; and thermally treating the third structure to form the metal oxide nanostructure.

Abstract: A ZnO varistor powder can be obtained with high operating voltage and excellent current-voltage nonlinear resistance characteristics. In the ZnO varistor powder, the main ingredient is zinc oxide (ZnO); and at least bismuth (Bi), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), antimony (Sb), nickel (Ni), and aluminum (Al), calculated as Bi2O3, CO2O3, MnO, Sb2O3, NiO, and Al3+, are contained as accessory ingredients in amounts of 0.3 to 1.5 mol % Bi2O3, 0.3 to 2.0 mol % Co2O3, 0.3 to 3 mol % MnO, 0.5 to 4 mol % Sb2O3, 0.5 to 4 mol % NiO, and 0.0005 to 0.02 mol % Al3+. ZnO content is greater than or equal to 90 mol %; the bulk density is greater than or equal to 2.5 g/cc; the powder is a spherical powder in which the 50% particle diameter in the particle size distribution is 20 ?m to 120 ?m.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a method for obtaining particles of chemical formula BiVO4 wherein bismuth and vanadium precursors and at least one additive chosen from surfactants of the sulphate or phosphonate type comprising at least one hydrocarbon chain are made to react at a temperature below 50° C. The subject of the invention is also particles of chemical formula BiVO4 of which the surface has Brønsted sites.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new thermoelectric conversion material represented by the chemical formula 1: Bi1-xCu1-yO1-zTe, where 0?x<1, 0?y<1, 0?z<1 and x+y+z>0. A thermoelectric conversion device using said thermoelectric conversion material has good energy conversion efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a piezoelectric element and having a piezoelectric body and a pair of electrodes being contact with the piezoelectric body, wherein the piezoelectric body consists of an ABO3 perovskite oxide in which an A-site atom consists of Bi and a B-site atom is composed of an atom of at least two types of elements.

Abstract: Process for preparing a mixed metal oxide powder, in which oxidizable starting materials are evaporated and oxidized, the reaction mixture is cooled after the reaction and the pulverulent solids are removed from gaseous substances, wherein as starting materials, at least one pulverulent metal and at least one metal compound, the metal and the metal component of the metal compound being different and the proportion of metal being at least 80% by weight based on the sum of metal and metal component from metal compound, together with one or more combustion gases, are fed to an evaporation zone of a reactor, where metal and metal compound are evaporated completely under nonoxidizing conditions, subsequently, the mixture flowing out of the evaporation zone is reacted in the oxidation zone of this reactor with a stream of a supplied oxygen-containing gas whose oxygen content is at least sufficient to oxidize the starting materials and combustion gases completely.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bismuth oxyfluoride nanocomposites used as positive electrodes in primary and rechargeable electromechanical energy storage systems.

Abstract: A subject for the invention is to provide a positive-electrode material, which has high capacity and high output and is inhibited from suffering a decrease in output with repetitions of charge and use. The invention provides a positive-electrode material for lithium secondary battery, which comprises a secondary particle of a lithium/transition metal composite oxide containing boron and/or bismuth, and wherein the atomic ratio of the sum of boron and bismuth to the sum of the metallic elements other than lithium, boron, and bismuth in a surface part of the secondary particle is from 5 times to 70 times the atomic ratio in the whole secondary particle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to pigment compositions with the formula BiwMnxCoyCuzO40, wherein w is between 7 and 9, x is between 3 and 13, y is between 2 and 13, z is between 0.5 and 7 and the sum of w, x, y and z is 26. The invention also is directed to thick film black pigment compositions, conductive single layer thick film compositions, black electrodes made from such black conductive compositions and methods of forming such electrodes, and to the uses of such compositions, electrodes, and methods in flat panel display applications, including alternating-current plasma display panel devices (AC PDP).

Abstract: The invention relates to amphiphilic, nanoscalar particles comprising lipophilic hydrolyzable groups on their surface. The invention also relates to methods for producing amphiphilic, nanoscalar particles and to compositions containing said particles.

Abstract: A polymer additive for improving the reheat characteristics of a polymer or polymeric composition comprises an inorganic material which is such that a 2.5 mm thick polyethylene terephthalate plaque incorporating the inorganic material has, when tested, an absorption ratio of less than 0.9, wherein the absorption ratio is either the ratio of A1/A2 or the ratio A1/A3, wherein: A1 is the maximum absorption between 400 nm and 550 nm; A2 is the maximum absorption between 700 to 1100 nm; A3 is the maximum absorption between 700 to 1600 nm. Preferred inorganic materials are titanium nitride, indium tin oxide and lanthanum hexaboride.

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: A process comprises (a) combining (1) at least one base and (2) at least one metal carboxylate salt comprising (i) a metal cation selected from metal cations that form amphoteric metal oxides or oxyhydroxides and (ii) a lactate or thiolactate anion, or metal carboxylate salt precursors comprising (i) at least one metal salt comprising the metal cation and a non-interfering anion and (ii) lactic or thiolactic acid, a lactate or thiolactate salt of a non-interfering, non-metal cation, or a mixture thereof; and (b) allowing the base and the metal carboxylate salt or metal carboxylate salt precursors to react.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to pigment compositions, thick film black pigment compositions, conductive single layer thick film compositions, black electrodes made from such black conductive compositions and methods of forming such electrodes, and to the uses of such compositions, electrodes, and methods in flat panel display applications, including alternating-current plasma display panel devices (AC PDP).

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: A method for manufacturing a BiMO particle (M is either one of Si, Ge, Ti, and Sn), in which at least one type of compound selected from the group consisting of a silicon compound, a germanium compound, a titanium compound, and a tin compound is reacted with a bismuth compound by agitating and mixing the compounds in an alkali water solution in the presence of an amino compound.

Abstract: Crystalline scintillator materials comprising nano-scale particles of metal oxides, metal oxyhalides and metal oxysulfides are provided. The nano-scale particles are less than 100 nm in size. Methods are provided for preparing the particles. In one method, used to form oxyhalides and oxysulfides, metal salts are dissolved in water, and then precipitated out as fine particles using an aqueous base. After the particles are separated from the solution, they are annealed under a flow of a water saturated hydrogen anion gas, such as HCl or H2S, to form the crystalline scintillator particles. The other methods take advantage of the characteristics of microemulsion solutions to control droplet size, and, thus, the particle size of the final nano-particles. For example, in one method, a first micro-emulsion containing metal salts if formed. The first micro-emulsion is mixed with an aqueous base in a second micro-emulsion to form the final nano-scale particles.

Abstract: A Bi12XO20 powder, wherein X represents at least one kind of element selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, and Ti, is produced by a process comprising: a step (A) of preparing a solution containing the Bi element and a solution containing the X element, a step (B) of feeding the solution containing the Bi element and the solution containing the X element into a mixing section, and preparing a mixed liquid in the mixing section, a step (C) of discharging the mixed liquid from the mixing section, and a step (D) of feeding the mixed liquid, which has been discharged from the mixing section, into a reaction section located at the exterior of the mixing section, and allowing the mixed liquid to undergo reaction in the reaction section. The steps (B) and (C) are performed in parallel.

Abstract: A Bi12XO20 powder, wherein X represents at least one kind of element selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, and Ti, is produced by a process comprising: a step (A) of preparing a solution containing the Bi element and a solution containing the X element, a step (B) of adding the two kinds of the solutions to a mother liquor having been previously fed into a reaction chamber, a mixed liquid being thereby prepared, and a step (C) of raising a temperature of the mixed liquid from the temperature, at which the addition is begun. In the step (B), the addition of the two kinds of the solutions is performed such that the substance quantities of the Bi element and the X element in the mixed liquid increase in parallel from the time at which the addition is begun.

Abstract: A composition, containing vanadium, potassium and a support is disclosed. A method of preparing such composition is also disclosed. The composition is employed in a process to remove a heavy metal from a gaseous feed stream which can optionally include a separate heavy metal adsorption stage.

Abstract: The invention offers a method of producing a (Bi, Pb)-2223-based oxide superconducting material. The method is for producing a (Bi, Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3OZ-based oxide superconducting material. The method includes a material-mixing step for forming a mixed material and at least two heat treatment steps for heat-treating the mixed material. The at least two heat treatment steps has a first heat treatment step for forming (Bi, Pb)-2223 crystals and a second heat treatment step for increasing the Sr content of the (Bi, Pb)-2223 crystals after the (Bi, Pb)-2223 crystals are formed. The second heat treatment step is performed at a temperature lower than that employed in the first heat treatment step, so that the (Bi, Pb)-2223-based oxide superconducting material has a high critical temperature.

Abstract: A single crystalline ternary nanostructure having the formula AxByOz, wherein x ranges from 0.25 to 24, and y ranges from 1.5 to 40, and wherein A and B are independently selected from the group consisting of Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cl, Cm, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, F, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Ho, I, In, Ir, K, La, Li, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, Os, P, Pb, Pd, Pr, Pt, Rb, Re, Rh, Ru, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Tc, Te, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, and Zn, wherein the nanostructure is at least 95% free of defects and/or dislocations.

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: An alloy generating hydrogen easily and safely for a long time is obtained. The alloy is obtained by melting in a blast furnace a first metal composed of one or more metals of Al, Zn and Mg and a second metal composed of one or more metals of Ga, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Hg, Pb and Bi; and then placing the alloy in a molten state in water to cool the alloy.

Abstract: An alkaline solution of an alkali-soluble compound, which is selected from the group consisting of an alkali-soluble silicon compound and an alkali-soluble germanium compound, is prepared. Also, a water-soluble bismuth compound solution is prepared. The alkaline solution and the water-soluble bismuth compound solution are subjected to mixing processing with agitation at a temperature of at least 80° C. by use of a shearing type agitator and are thereby allowed to react with each other. Thus Bi12MO20 particles, in which M represents an element selected from the group consisting of Si and Ge, are produced. The produced Bi12MO20 particles have small particle diameters and uniform composition.

Abstract: Grain oriented ceramics constituted of a polycrystalline body having a first perovskite-type alkali-pentavalent metal oxide compound as the main phase, in which a specific crystal plane of each grain constituting the polycrystalline body is oriented. The grain oriented ceramics are obtained by molding a mixture of a first anisotropically-shaped powder A of which developed plane has a lattice matching with a specific crystal plane of the first perovskite-type alkali-pentavalent metal oxide compound and a first reaction material capable of reacting with the first anisotropically-shaped powder A thereby forming at least the first perovskite-type alkali-pentavalent metal oxide compound such that the first anisotropically-shaped powder A is oriented, and by heating them.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for preparing a mixed oxide catalyst for use in producing acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile from propane or isobutene by ammoxidation in a gaseous phase via methods of heating or calcining precursor solid mixture to obtain mixed metal oxide catalyst compositions that exhibit catalytic activity.

Abstract: A method of fractionating a dispersion of oxidic nanoparticles wherein at least one step of the method is a membrane crossflow filtration step, the flow of the dispersion over the membrane being brought about by means of driven rotating parts; and dispersions of oxidic nanoparticles that are obtainable by the method.

Abstract: Disclosed is metal composite oxides having the new crystal structure. Also disclosed are ionic conductors including the metal composite oxides and electrochemical devices comprising the ionic conductors. The metal composite oxides have an ion channel formed for easy movement of ions due to crystallographic specificity resulting from the ordering of metal ion sites and metal ion defects within the unit cell. Therefore, the metal composite oxides according to the present invention are useful in an electrochemical device requiring an ionic conductor or ionic conductivity.

Abstract: Crystalline scintillator materials comprising nano-scale particles of metal oxides, metal oxyhalides and metal oxysulfides are provided. The nano-scale particles are less than 100 nm in size. Methods are provided for preparing the particles. In one method, used to form oxyhalides and oxysulfides, metal salts are dissolved in water, and then precipitated out as fine particles using an aqueous base. After the particles are separated from the solution, they are annealed under a flow of a water saturated hydrogen anion gas, such as HCl or H2S, to form the crystalline scintillator particles. The other methods take advantage of the characteristics of microemulsion solutions to control droplet size, and, thus, the particle size of the final nano-particles. For example, in one method, a first micro-emulsion containing metal salts if formed. The first micro-emulsion is mixed with an aqueous base in a second micro-emulsion to form the final nano-scale particles.

Abstract: The product of a molten alkali metal metalate phase separation can be processed into a purified metal from a metal source. Metal sources include native ores, recycled metal, metal alloys, impure metal stock, recycle materials, etc. The method uses a molten alkali metal metalate as a process medium or solvent in purifying or extracting high value metal or metal oxides from metal sources. Vitrification methods using the silicate glass separation phase can be prepared as is or can be prepared with a particulate phase distributed throughout the silica glass phase and encapsulated and fixed within the continuous glass phase. Tungsten metal can be obtained from an alkali metal tungstate. A typically finely divided tungsten metal powder can be obtained from a variety of tungsten sources including recycled tungsten scrap, tungsten carbide scrap, low grade tungsten ore typically comprising tungsten oxide or other form of tungsten in a variety of oxidation states.

Abstract: Lattice doped stoichiometric-nanostructured materials having a plurality of discrete nanocrystalline particles, which are at least 95% crystalline, and a dopant either substituted in at least one nanocrystalline particle crystal lattice or interstitially located between crystal lattices or crystal planes of the nanocrystalline particles.

Abstract: An anode in a Direct Carbon Fuel Cell (DCFC) operating in a temperature range between 500 and 1200 degrees Celsius is provided. The anode material has high catalytic activity and selectivity for carbon oxidation, sufficient oxygen non-stoichiometry, rapid oxygen chemical diffusion, wide thermodynamic stability window to withstand reducing environment, sufficient electronic conductivity and tolerance to sulfur and CO2 environments. The anode has doped ruthenate compositions A1?xA?xRuO3, AB1?yRuyO3, or A1?xA?xB1?yRuyO3. A and A? may be divalent, trivalent, or tetravalent cation, and B is a multivalent cation. A is among lanthanide series elements La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Er or Yb, and dopant A? is from Group IIA, IIIB, or IVB elements. The doped ruthenates can also be a (AB1?yRuyO3) structure or an ordered Ruddlesden-Popper series ((A1?xAx?)n+1(B1?yRuy)nO3n+1) structure where n=1 or 2. The dopant B is among Group IVB, VB, VIB, VIII, IB, and IIB elements.

Abstract: A new photocatalyst, which is high in visible light response, is great in quantum efficiency, and is more excellent in photocatalytic activity, is provided. A composite metal oxide, prepared combining two photocatalytic systems of TiO2 and BiVO4, including elements of Bi, Ti, and Vi as composition elements, can be a photocatalyst having a high activity under visible light. Particularly, BiTiVO6, which is obtained at a compounding ratio of 1:1, can be a photocatalyst having a remarkably high activity under visible light. Moreover, a composite metal oxide expressed by a general formula BiTiMO6 (in the formula, M represents at least one element selected from a group consisting of V, Nb, and Ta) can be a photocatalyst having a high activity under visible light.

Abstract: Method for producing metal oxide nanoparticles. The method includes generating an aerosol of solid metallic microparticles, generating plasma with a plasma hot zone at a temperature sufficiently high to vaporize the microparticles into metal vapor, and directing the aerosol into the hot zone of the plasma. The microparticles vaporize in the hot zone into metal vapor. The metal vapor is directed away from the hot zone and into the cooler plasma afterglow where it oxidizes, cools and condenses to form solid metal oxide nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing an electroactive metal polyanion or a mixed metal polyanion comprising forming a slurry comprising a polymeric material, a solvent, a polyanion source or alkali metal polyanion source and at least one metal ion source; heating said slurry at a temperature and for a time sufficient to remove the solvent and form an essentially dried mixture; and heating said mixture at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce an electroactive metal polyanion or electroactive mixed metal polyanion.