Abstract: Apparatus and methods of use thereof for the measurement of photocurrents are provided.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a metal salt-containing composition which is applicable to many metal source materials, and can be used for forming a compact and uniform metal oxide film comparable to those formed according to a sputtering method, as well as to provide a substrate having a metal complex film on the surface thereof obtained using the metal salt-containing composition, and a substrate having a metal complex film on the surface thereof obtained by further heating the substrate. Moreover, another object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a substrate having such a metal complex film on the surface thereof. According to the present invention, a metal salt-containing composition containing a metal salt, a polyvalent carboxylic acid having a cis-form structure, and a solvent, in which: the molar ratio of the polyvalent carboxylic acid to the metal salt is not less than 0.5 and not more than 4.

Abstract: A technique for bonding an organic group with the surface of fine particles such as nanoparticles through strong linkage is provided, whereas such fine particles are attracting attention as materials essential for development of high-tech products because of various unique excellent characteristics and functions thereof. Organically modified metal oxide fine particles can be obtained by adapting high-temperature, high-pressure water as a reaction field to bond an organic matter with the surface of metal oxide fine particles through strong linkage. The use of the same condition enables not only the formation of metal oxide fine particles but also the organic modification of the formed fine particles. The resulting organically modified metal oxide fine particles exhibit excellent properties, characteristics and functions.

Abstract: Manufacture of silver oxide nano particles is disclosed comprising using Armine-z as desegregating agent for silver salt solution and precipitating it with sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: Methods of making unique water treatment compositions are provided. In one embodiment, a method of making a doped metal oxide or hydroxide for treating water comprises: disposing a metal precursor solution and a dopant precursor solution in a reaction vessel comprising water to form a slurry; and precipitating the doped metal oxide or hydroxide from the slurry.

Abstract: A photocatalytic coating composition comprising photocatalytic titanium oxide, silver, copper and a quaternary ammonium hydroxide. The photocatalytic coating composition may include a photocatalytic titanium oxide sol dispersed in a binder. Furthermore, a photocatalytic member includes a substrate having a surface coated with the photocatalytic coating composition. The photocatalyst coating composition can contain highly antibacterial silver by skillfully utilizing copper and a quaternary ammonium hydroxide, and accordingly can show an antibacterial effect not only in a dark place simply due to silver, but also a higher antibacterial effect in a conventional application of employing ultraviolet sterilization by concomitantly using the photocatalyst titanium oxide sol according to the present invention and an ultraviolet sterilizer.

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: This invention relates, in general, to a method of producing magnetic oxide nanoparticles or metal oxide nanoparticles and, more particularly, to a method of producing magnetic or metal oxide nanoparticles, which comprises (1) adding a magnetic or metal precursor to a surfactant or a solvent containing the surfactant to produce a mixed solution, (2) heating the mixed solution to 50-6001 C to decompose the magnetic or metal precursor by heating so as to form the magnetic or metal oxide nanoparticles, and (3) separating the magnetic or metal oxide nanoparticles. Since the method is achieved through a simple process without using an oxidizing agent or a reducing agent, it is possible to simply mass-produce uniform magnetic or metal oxide nanoparticles having desired sizes compared to the conventional method.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel cathodes having a reduced resistivity and electrochemical cells using these cathodes. Furthermore, this invention also presents methods of manufacturing novel electrochemical cells and novel cathodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of precipitation of metal ions. Mineral(s), oxide(s), hydroxide(s) of magnesium and/or calcium are adopted as raw materials, and the raw material(s) is processed through at least one step of calcination, slaking, or carbonization to produce aqueous solution(s) of magnesium bicarbonate and/or calcium bicarbonate, and then the solution(s) is used as precipitant(s) to deposit rare earth, such as nickel, cobalt, iron, aluminum, gallium, indium, manganese, cadmium, zirconium, hafnium, strontium, barium, copper and zinc ions. And at least one of metal carbonates, hydroxides or basic carbonates is obtained, or furthermore the obtained products are calcined to produce metal oxides. The invention takes the cheap calcium and/or magnesium minerals or their oxides, hydroxides with low purity as raw materials to instead common precipitants such as ammonium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate etc.

Abstract: The present invention is compositions and methods for improving seed germination rates or speed using a composition comprising at least one high valency silver ion. The compositions and methods of the present invention are effective in treating biofilms.

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: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a metal oxide nano powder comprising preparing a first dispersed solution by adding a nano-sized metal powder to water and dispersing the metal powder within the water, performing a hydration reaction of the first dispersed solution at a temperature of about 30 to about 70° C. to generate a precipitation, and filtering and drying the precipitation to prepare a metal oxide powder. Also, disclosed is a metal oxide nano powder manufactured by the method described above, and having any one of a bar-form, a cube-form, and a fiber-form.

Abstract: A seed crystal for the fabrication of a superconductor is grown from a rare-earth oxide having the basic formula XwZtBaxCuyOz, X comprising at least one rare-earth element and Z being a dopant which raises the peritectic decomposition temperature (Tp) of the oxide. In a preferred embodiment, the dopant is Mg. Use of this rare-earth oxide material for seed crystals increases the temperature at which cold-seeding can be performed and thus enables the growth of a wider range of hulk superconductor materials by this process.

Abstract: A heat-reactive resist material of the invention is characterized in that the boiling point of the fluoride of the element is 200° C. or more. By this means, it is possible to achieve the heat-reactive resist material having high resistance to dry etching using fluorocarbons to form a pattern with the deep groove depth.

Abstract: A nanocrystalline supported or unsupported copper oxide with a residual carbon content of <10% and a BET surface area >95 m2/g. Further, a method for the production of a supported or unsupported nanocrystalline copper oxide as well as the use thereof in catalysis, in particular in the steam reforming of methanol or in the hydrogenation of esters.

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: A closed loop combustion system for the combustion of fuels using a molten metal oxide bed.

Abstract: A method of producing porous complex oxides includes the steps of providing a mixture of a) precursor elements suitable to produce the complex oxide; or b) one or more precursor elements suitable to produce particles of the complex oxide and one or more metal oxide particles; and c) a particulate carbon-containing pore-forming material selected to provide pore sizes in the range of approximately 7 nm to 250 nm, and treating the mixture to (i) form the porous complex oxide in which two or more of the precursor elements from (a) above or one or more of the precursor elements and one or more of the metals in the metal oxide particles from (b) above are incorporated into a phase of the complex metal oxide and the complex metal oxide has grain sizes in the range of about 1 nm to 150 nm; and (ii) remove the pore-forming material under conditions such that the porous structure and composition of the complex oxide is substantially preserved. The method may be used to produce non-refractory metal oxides as well.

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 quaternary oxide includes a dopant metal, a dopant nonmetal, titanium, and oxygen. The atomic ratio of titanium, oxygen and dopant nonmetal may be 1:0.5-1.99:0.01-1.5. Quaternary oxides may be used in catalytic compositions, in coatings for disinfecting surfaces and in coatings for self-cleaning surfaces. A method of making a quaternary oxide includes combining ingredients including a titanium source, a dopant nonmetal source, a dopant metal salt, and a polar organic solvent to form a reaction mixture; and heating the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a copper oxide-containing composition that includes copper oxide nanoparticles and one or more heteroatom donor ligands bonded to the surface of the nanoparticles, where x and y are numbers having a ratio that is equal to the ratio of the average number of M atoms to the average number of O atoms in the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are stabilized by the one or more heteroatom donor ligands which act as a protective layer that cap the surface of the nanoparticles. The present invention also provides a solution of the copper oxide nanoparticles that may be applied to a substrate and then subsequently reduced to copper metal. Finally, the invention provides a method of preparing the copper oxide nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method for removing arsenite and arsenate from water is provided. The method comprises reacting the water with cupric oxide (CuO) particles for a predetermined time and filtering the reacted water. A system for removing arsenite and arsenate from liquids is also provided.

Abstract: Nanoplatelet forms of metal hydroxide and metal oxide are provided, as well as methods for preparing same. The nanoplatelets are suitable for use as fire retardants and as agents for chemical or biological decontamination.

Abstract: A photocatalytic titanium oxide sol presents antibacterial properties in a dark place, and, in particular, relates to a photocatalytic titanium oxide sol which is stable and causes no discoloration by light even though containing silver, and relates to a coating composition and a member using the same. The photocatalytic titanium oxide sol includes silver, copper and a quaternary ammonium hydroxide, may be dispersed in a binder, and may be coated on the surface of a substrate.

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: The invention is directed to a process for manufacture of fine precious metal containing particles, specifically silver-based particles and silver-based contact materials via an intermediate silver(+1)-oxide species. The process comprises in a first step the formation of a thermally instable silver (+1)-oxide species by adding a base to an aqueous silver salt solution comprising an organic dispersing agent. Due to the presence of the organic dispersing agent, the resulting silver (+1)-oxide species is thermally instable, thus the species is decomposing to metallic silver at temperature lower than 100° C. The process optionally may comprise the addition of a powdered compound selected from the group of inorganic oxides, metals, and carbon-based compounds. Furthermore the process may contain additional separating and drying steps. The process is versatile, cost efficient and environmentally friendly and is used for the manufacture of silver-based particles and electrical contact materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing and recovering copper by treating an acidic waste liquid containing copper ions such as an etching waste liquid resulting from etching a copper printed board in an etching solution of cupric chloride and a waste liquid after renewing a plating bath liquid in producing electrolytic copper foil. The present invention relates to a copper recovering method of recovering copper from a copper-containing acidic waste liquid by adding a liquid mixture of a copper-containing acidic waste liquid and an oxidizing agent to an alkaline agent solution while a pH of the alkaline agent solution to which the liquid mixture has been added is being controlled so as not to decrease to seven or lower even for a moment, and by obtaining a solid material whose main component is copper oxide.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of producing a crystalline metal oxide nanostructure. The method comprises providing a metal salt solution and providing a basic solution; placing a porous membrane between the metal salt solution and the basic solution, wherein metal cations of the metal salt solution and hydroxide ions of the basic solution react, thereby producing a crystalline metal oxide nanostructure.

Abstract: Alkaline battery silver oxide powder when soaked in a 50° C. KOH 40% aqueous solution for 24 hours experiences dissolution of Ag into the solution of 40 mg/L. Alkaline battery silver oxide powder exhibits substantially no Ag peak by X-ray diffraction even after soaking in a 50° C. KOH 40% aqueous solution for 72 hours. This powder has a crystallite size calculated from the half value breadth of the (111) plane peak by powder X-ray diffraction of greater than 250 Angstrom and equal to or less than 1000 Angstrom, particle diameter such that the average diameter of secondary particles is equal to or greater than 1 ?m and equal to or less than 500 ?m and that of primary particles forming the secondary particles is equal to or greater than 0.1 ?m and equal to or less than 10.0 ?m, and specific surface area of 5 m2/g or less.

Abstract: A material comprising a plurality of nanoparticles. Each of the plurality of nanoparticles includes at least one of a metal phosphate, a metal silicate, a metal oxide, a metal borate, a metal aluminate, and combinations thereof. The plurality of nanoparticles is substantially monodisperse. Also disclosed is a method of making a plurality of substantially monodisperse nanoparticles. The method includes providing a slurry of at least one metal precursor, maintaining the pH of the slurry at a predetermined value, mechanically milling the slurry, drying the slurry to form a powder; and calcining the powder at a predetermined temperature to form the plurality of nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing surface stabilized nanometer-sized particles includes the steps of mixing reactants, a surface-stabilizing surfactant, and a high boiling point liquid to form a mixture, continuously passing the mixture through an ultrasonic spray nozzle to form a mist of droplets of the mixture, injecting the mist directly into a furnace to cause a reaction between species of the mixture, and collecting the nanometer-sized products. The ultrasonic nozzle is positioned directly at one end of the heating furnace, preferably the top end, for travel of the droplets through the furnace. The continuous liquid-flow process, along with certain operating parameters, eliminates the need for dilution of the high boiling point liquid with a low boiling point solvent as in the prior art, significantly increases the yield, improves the quality of the product, and makes the process scalable.

Abstract: A material comprising a plurality of nanoparticles. Each of the plurality of nanoparticles includes at least one of a metal phosphate, a metal silicate, a metal oxide, a metal borate, a metal aluminate, and combinations thereof. The plurality of nanoparticles is substantially monodisperse. Also disclosed is a method of making a plurality of substantially monodisperse nanoparticles. The method includes providing a slurry of at least one metal precursor, maintaining the pH of the slurry at a predetermined value, mechanically milling the slurry, drying the slurry to form a powder; and calcining the powder at a predetermined temperature to form the plurality of nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparation of silver oxide with various shape and size using a silver complex compound having a special structure. The present invention includes 1) step of preparing a precursor solution including a silver complex compound obtained by reacting a silver compound with one or more mixture selected from the group consisting of an ammonium carbamate-based compound, an ammonium carbonate-based compound or an ammonium bicarbonate-based compound in the presence of a solvent; and 2) step of preparing silver oxide by reacting the precursor solution including the silver complex compound of step 1) with an oxidant. The shape and particle size of the silver oxide prepared according to the preparation process of the present invention can be changed.

Abstract: Particles and manufacturing methods thereof are provided. The manufacturing method of the particle includes providing a precursor solution containing a precursor dissolved in a solution, and irradiating the precursor solution with a high energy and high flux radiation beam to convert the precursor to nano-particles. Particles with desired dispersion, shape, and size are manufactured without adding a stabilizer or surfactant to the precursor solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing metal nanoparticles, more particularly to a method for manufacturing metal nanoparticles, which includes: preparing a mixed solution including capping molecules, a metal catalyst, a reducing agent, and an organic solvent; adding a metal precursor to the mixed solution and raising to a predetermined temperature and stirring; and lowering the temperature of the mixed solution and producing nanoparticles. Embodiments of the invention allow the synthesis of nanoparticles, such as of single metals, metal alloys, or metal oxides, to a high concentration in a water base using a metal catalyst.

Abstract: A process of doping zero-valance double metals into a cationic exchange resin to increase reactive activity of zero-valance metals includes providing a cationic exchange resin to contact a first metal in the form of ions to reduce the first metal which then attaches to the cationic exchange resin; providing a second metal in the form of ions to contact and attach to the first metal; and reducing the second metal to zero valance and forming a carrier containing double metals. The cationic exchange resin is selected from a strong acidic ion exchange resin of which the ion exchange functional group is SO3Na and SO3H. The first metal is selected from the noble metal group: palladium, platinum and copper. The second metal is selected from the normal metals group, such as tin. The first metal and the second metal respectively have particle diameters ranging from 20 to 100 nm.

Abstract: Alkaline battery silver oxide powder when soaked in a 50° C. KOH 40% aqueous solution for 24 hours experiences dissolution of Ag into the solution of 40 mg/L. Alkaline battery silver oxide powder exhibits substantially no Ag peak by X-ray diffraction even after soaking in a 50° C. KOH 40% aqueous solution for 72 hours. This powder has a crystallite size calculated from the half value breadth of the (111) plane peak by powder X-ray diffraction of greater than 250 Angstrom and equal to or less than 1000 Angstrom, particle diameter such that the average diameter of secondary particles is equal to or greater than 1 ?m and equal to or less than 500 ?m and that of primary particles forming the secondary particles is equal to or greater than 0.1 ?m and equal to or less than 10.0 ?m, and specific surface area of 5 m2/g or less.

Abstract: Disclosed is an Cu/Zn/Al-catalyst containing copper oxide and zinc oxide as catalytically active components and aluminium oxide as thermostabilising component. The catalyst is characterized in that the Cu/Zn atomic ratio is <2.8 and the aluminium oxide component is obtained from an aluminium hydroxide sol.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for manufacture of fine precious metal containing particles, specifically silver-based particles and silver-based contact materials via an intermediate silver(+1)-oxide species. The process comprises in a first step the formation of a thermally instable silver (+1)-oxide species by adding a base to an aqueous silver salt solution comprising an organic dispersing agent. Due to the presence of the organic dispersing agent, the resulting silver (+1)-oxide species is thermally instable, thus the species is decomposing to metallic silver at temperature lower than 1000° C. The process optionally may comprise the addition of a powdered compound selected from the group of inorganic oxides, metals, and carbon-based compounds. Furthermore the process may contain additional separating and drying steps. The process is versatile, cost efficient and environmentally friendly and is used for the manufacture of silver-based particles and electrical contact materials.

Abstract: A method for forming a copper oxide catalyst includes forming a precipitate of copper hydroxide from a copper salt solution; forming dried particles of copper hydroxide by drying the precipitate at a temperature of less than 30° C.; heating the copper hydroxide particles to form copper oxide; and activating the copper oxide. The copper oxide catalyst includes particles of copper oxide. Copper oxide catalyst particles can preferably include a metastable form of copper oxide. The copper oxide catalyst particles are useful for low-temperature and near-ambient temperature catalysis and/or oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing the copper oxide nano-particles is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a copper-contained salt solution, providing a alkaline solution, mixing the copper-contained salt solution and the alkaline solution by using a high-gravity force provided by a high-gravity device to generate a slurry, removing the solvent in the slurry to obtain a precursor of the copper oxide nano-particles, and calcining the precursor to produce the copper oxide nano-particles.

Abstract: A Cu2O spherical assembly particle composition is composed of Cu2O spherical assembly particles, each of which is formed by agglomerating a plurality of Cu2O ultrafine particles that have an average diameter in the range from 1 to 100 nm and a standard deviation on the diameter in the range from 0 to 10%. The Cu2O spherical assembly particles have an average diameter in the range from 0.1 to 10 ?m and a standard deviation on the diameter in the range from 0 to 40%. This Cu2O spherical assembly particle composition is composed of Cu2O assembly particles with excellent uniformity, so it shows excellent properties such as realizing a good electric conductivity during a curing process for wiring. Accordingly, the spherical Cu2O assembly particle composition may be usefully used as precursors for solar energy conversion, magnetic storage medium, catalyst, gas sensor, and copper wire formation.

Abstract: Nanoparticles comprising tungsten, methods of manufacturing nanoparticles comprising tungsten, and applications of nanoparticles comprising tungsten, such as electronics, optical devices, photonics, reagents for fine chemical synthesis, pigments, and catalysts are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to platinum-metal oxide composite particles and their use as electrocatalysts in oxygen-reducing cathodes and fuel cells. The invention particularly relates to methods for preventing the oxidation of the platinum electrocatalyst in the cathodes of fuel cells by use of these platinum-metal oxide composite particles. The invention additionally relates to methods for producing electrical energy by supplying such a fuel cell with an oxidant, such as oxygen, and a fuel source, such as hydrogen. The invention also relates to methods of making the metal-metal oxide composites.

Abstract: Material for the positive electrode of batteries is provided that has good conductivity and can be manufactured more cheaply than AgNiO2. The battery positive electrode material is a conductive chemical compound represented by the general formula AgxNiyO2 (wherein X/Y is smaller than 1 and not smaller than 0.25). The conductive chemical compound is constituted of a crystal that has an X-ray diffraction main peak that is the same as that of AgNiO2 (wherein X=Y=1), and does not exhibit a Ag2O or AgO peak. This conductive compound can be used as an additive to impart conductivity to the silver oxide (Ag2O) of the positive electrode material.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing oxide-based nano-structured materials using a chemical wet process, and thus, the method can be employed to manufacture oxide-based nano-structured materials having uniform composition and good electrical characteristics in large quantities, the method having a relatively simple process which does not use large growing equipment. The method includes preparing a first organic solution that comprises a metal, mixing the first organic solution with a second organic solution that contains hydroxyl radicals (—OH), filtering the mixed solution using a filter in order to extract oxide-based nano-structured materials formed in the mixed solution, drying the extracted oxide-based nano-structured materials to remove any remaining organic solution, and heat treating the dried oxide-based nano-structured materials.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process of making nano-sized or micro-sized precipitate particles. The process comprising the steps of mixing, in a reaction zone, a metal salt solution with a precipitant solution to form a precipitate, said precipitate being at least one of a metal chalcogenide, metal hydroxide and metal oxide; and applying a shear force to said mixing solutions in said reaction zone during said mixing step, wherein said shear force and the conditions within said reaction zone form said nano-sized or micro-sized precipitate particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing nanosize to microsize particles of compounds of the rare earth metals and other transition metals and also for producing colloid-chemically stable sols of these particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing surface-modified nanoparticulate particles at least of one metal oxide, metal hydroxide and/or metal oxide hydroxide, and aqueous suspensions of these particles. The invention further relates to the surface-modified nanoparticulate particles, obtainable by these methods, at least of one metal oxide, metal hydroxide and/or metal oxide hydroxide and aqueous suspensions of these particles, and to their use for cosmetic sunscreen preparations, as stabilizer in plastics and as antimicrobial active ingredient.