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: Mixed oxide powder containing indium and tin, with a proportion of indium oxide of between 90 and 98 wt. % and a BET surface area of 40 to 120 m2/g, which is in the form of aggregates having an average circumference of less than 500 nm, consists of at least 95% of an indium oxide phase and displays an oxygen content that is lower than the content that theoretically results from In2O3 and SnO2. It is produced by mixing a solution of an indium compound with a solution of a tin compound, atomising this mixture of solutions, pyrolysing the atomised mixture of solutions in a first zone of a reactor and in a second zone of the reactor, following pyrolysis, adding reducing gases to the pyrolysed mixture at one or more points in a quantity such that overall a reducing atmosphere is established in this second zone, and separating the resulting solid from the waste gases in a further, third zone, in which a reducing atmosphere likewise still prevails.

Abstract: Agents for surface treatment which can impart excellent corrosion resistance to zinc or zinc alloy products at low cost. The agents for the surface treatment of zinc or zinc alloy products of this invention include at least one water-soluble compound which contains antimony, bismuth, tellurium or tin. Ideally, a nickel salt and/or a manganese salt is also included, and most desirably tannins and/or thioureas are also included. Ideally, the zinc or zinc alloy products which have been immersed and treated in an aqueous solution which contains these agents for surface treatment are immersed in an aqueous solution which includes a sealing treatment agent selected according to the colour of the zinc or zinc alloy product to seal pinholes.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates 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.

Abstract: The in vitro polymerization of silica, silicone, non-silicon metalloid-oxane and metallo-oxane polymer networks, by combining a catalyst and a substrate to polymerize the substrate to form silica, polysiloxanes, polymetalloid-oxanes polymetallo-oxanes (metal oxides), polyorganometalloid oxanes, polyorganometallo oxanes, and the polyhydrido derivatives thereof, at about neutral pH.

Abstract: There is provided a conductive tin oxide sol having a high transparency, and a process for producing the sol, a coating composition by use of the sol and a material coated with the coating composition. The conductive tin oxide sol containing phosphorus-doped conductive tin oxide colloidal particles (A), wherein a sol prepared so as to have the colloidal particles (A) in a concentration of 10 mass % in the sol has a transmittance of 30% or more at a wavelength of 600 nm in an optical path length of 10 mm. The particle diameter of the conductive tin oxide sol by observation with transmission electron microscope is 2 to 25 nm. The molar ratio of the doped phosphorus (P) to the tin oxide (SnO2) in the colloidal particles (A) is 0.005 to 0.2. The conductive tin oxide sol is produced by mixing a phosphorus compound in a tin oxide sol, and then subjecting to a hydrothermal treatment. The coating composition contains the conductive tin oxide sol and a binder.

Abstract: Methods of producing nanoporous particles by spray pyrolysis of a precursor composition including a reactive precursor salt and a nonreactive matrix salt are provided, wherein the matrix salt is used as a templating medium. Nanoporous aluminum oxide particles produced by the methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for synthesis of IV–VI nanostructures, and thermoelectric compositions formed of such structures. In one aspect, the method includes forming a solution of a Group IV reagent, a Group VI reagent and a surfactant. A reducing agent can be added to the solution, and the resultant solution can be maintained at an elevated temperature, e.g., in a range of about 20° C. to about 360° C., for a duration sufficient for generating nanoparticles as binary alloys of the IV–VI elements.

Abstract: Composite microparticles having thin coating layers can be simply prepared by bringing a host particle precursor into contact with a flame generated in a burner movably mounted at the bottom of a coating apparatus, by introducing the precursor in the form of a vapor or micronized liquid droplets upwardly into the burner, to obtain host particles; and introducing a gaseous coating precursor upwardly toward the host particles in or around the flame, the coating precursor being protected by an inert gas introduced therearound such that the formation of particles derived from the coating precursor itself is prevented.

Abstract: A high temperature non-aqueous synthetic procedure for the preparation of substantially monodisperse IV-VI semiconductor nanoparticles is provided. The procedure includes introducing a first precursor selected from the group consisting of a molecular precursor of a Group IV element and a molecular precursor of a Group VI element into a reaction vessel that comprises at least an organic solvent to form a mixture. Next, the mixture is heated and thereafter a second precursor of a molecular precursor of a Group IV element or a molecular precursor of a Group VI element that is different from the first is added. The reaction mixture is then mixed to initiate nucleation of IV-VI nanocrystals and the temperature of the reaction mixture is controlled to provide nanoparticles having a diameter of about 20 nm or less.

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

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing treated metal oxide nanoparticles from sols prepared from metal alkoxides and organosilanes. The treated nanoparticles are useful high refractive index additives in the manufacture of optical articles.

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

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

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

Abstract: A method of making an oxide compound, comprising subjecting a base material to a source of heat that produces a localized temperature in the range of 2,000 to 5,500 degrees Celsius that vaporizes the base material which is drawn upward above the surface of the base material where it oxidizes, after which the resulting oxide compound is collected. A method of making bismuth trioxide, comprising providing an electric arc between electrodes, wherein elemental bismuth is in touching proximity to one of the electrodes. The bismuth is evaporated, drawn upward off the surface of the molten metal, forms the bismuth oxide on contact with oxygen, and the particles of bismuth oxide are collected. A method of making an oxide using an electric arc to evaporate a base material which then reacts with oxygen, and collecting the resulting oxides of base material.

Abstract: The present invention provides new amorphous or partially crystalline mixed anion chalcogenide compounds for use in proton exchange membranes which are able to operate over a wide variety of temperature ranges, including in the intermediate temperature range of about 100 ° C. to 300° C., and new uses for crystalline mixed anion chalcogenide compounds in such proton exchange membranes. In one embodiment, the proton conductivity of the compounds is between about 10?8 S/cm and 10?1 S/cm within a temperature range of between about ?60 and 300° C. and a relative humidity of less than about 12%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal oxide powder for high precision polishing and prepartion thereof, comprising aggregates formed by cohesion of primary particles, which has a cohesive degree (?) of 1.1 to 2.0 and a cohesive scale (?) of 3 to 10, the cohesive degree (?) and the cohesive scale (?) being defined by formula (I) and formula (II), respectively: ?=6/(S×?×d(XRD)) ??(I) ?=weight average particle diameter/d(XRD) ??(II) wherein, S is the specific surface area of the powder; ?, the density; and d(XRD), the particle diameter of the powder determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to provide a high polishing speed and reduce scratches.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for producing nanosized metal compounds. The preferred product is nanosized copper, nanosized copper (I) oxide, and nanosized copper (II) oxide. The process includes heating a copper metal precursor in a hydrocarbon preferably selected from alkylated benzenes, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, paraffins and/or naphthenic hydrocarbons. The heating is desirably at a temperature and time effective to convert, for example, the copper metal precursor to nanosized copper (II) oxide, nanosized copper (I) oxide and/or nanosized copper metal. Separation of the hydrocarbon is then performed. Recovering the solid product and recycle/reuse of the recovered hydrocarbon in subsequent preparations of nanosized metal and metal oxides may be performed. The nanosized metal oxides of the invention may additionally be converted to nanosized metal salts by reaction with the appropriate acids while dispersed in the hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process of treating metal oxide nanoparticles that includes mixing metal oxide nanoparticles, a solvent, and a surface treatment agent that is preferably a silane or siloxane is described. The treated metal oxide nanoparticles are rendered hydrophobic by the surface treatment agent being surface attached thereto, and are preferably dispersed in a hydrophobic aromatic polymer binder of a charge transport layer of a photoreceptor, whereby ?—? interactions can be formed between the organic moieties on the surface of the nanoparticles and the aromatic components of the binder polymer to achieve a stable dispersion of the nanoparticles in the polymer that is substantially free of large sized agglomerations.

Abstract: The invention concerns a IM-11 crystalline solid with structure type LTA, with a neutral framework, having a chemical composition expressed as the anhydrous base in terms of moles of oxide defined by the general formula XO2:mYO2:qR:sF, in which R represents one or more nitrogen-containing organic compounds, X represents one or more tetravalent elements other than germanium, Y represents germanium, F is fluorine, m, q, s represent the number of moles of YO2, R and F respectively, m is in the range 0.1 to 4, and q and s are in the range 0 to 1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a porous crystalline material which, in the calcined state, has a composition: X2O3:nYO2:mZO2, wherein: X represents a trivalent element; Z represents Ge; and Y represents at least one tetravalent element other than Ge. Furthermore, in the chemical composition, (n+m) is equal to at least 5 and the Y/Z ratio is equal to at least 1. Moreover, in the calcined state, said material has an X-ray diffraction pattern which coincides substantially with (1), wherein VS is a very strong relative intensity corresponding to a percentage of between 80 and 100 with respect to the most intense peak; M is a mean relative intensity corresponding to a percentage of between 40 and 60 with respect to the most intense peak; and W is a mean relative intensity corresponding to a percentage of between 20 and 40 with respect to the most intense peak.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ITO sputtering target for forming a high-resistance transparent conductive film which target can be used virtually in a DC magnetron sputtering apparatus and can form a high-resistance, transparent film, and a method for producing a high-resistance transparent conductive film. The sputtering target for forming a high-resistance transparent conductive film having a resistivity of about (0.8–10)×10?3 ?cm contains indium oxide, an insulating oxide, and optionally tin oxide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making surfactant capped nanocrystals of metal oxides which are dispersable in organic solvents. The process comprises decomposing a metal cupferron complex of the formula MXCupX, wherein M is a metal, and Cup is a N-substituted N-Nitroso hydroxylamine, in the presence of a coordinating surfactant, the reaction being conducted at a temperature ranging from about 150 to about 400° C., for a period of time sufficient to complete the reaction. Also disclosed are compounds made by the process.

Abstract: The synthesis, processing and test of improved lead zirconate titanate (PZT) precursor materials useful for making bulk, thick films and thin films of PZT are provided. PZT is an oxide ceramic extensively used for its piezoelectric properties. A variety of devices made from piezoelectric PZT are known. A soluble spin-on precursor is provided that is compatible with and soluble in non-toxic and environmentally benign solvents (including water), has high stability and long shelf life, and provides high quality PZT films.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing metal alkoxide polymers is provided, for use, as an example, in synthesizing hybrid organic/inorganic materials with low optical absorption for optical applications. The method involves a plurality of acidolysis steps involving acidolysis of a metal alkoxide compound with an acid to produce an intermediate acidolysed solution, and combining and condensing the intermediate acidolysed solutions to produce the metal alkoxide polymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to new multi-component catalyst systems for the polycondensation of polyesters. More particularly, this invention pertains to novel multi-component, germanium based catalyst systems for the polycondensation of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) used in the manufacture of bottles, fiber or film. A multi-component catalyst system for the polycondensation of a polyester comprising the element germanium and one or more catalyst enhancers selected from the group of elements consisting of aluminium, silicon, molybdenum, manganese, lithium and combinations thereof, said elements being in the form of compounds, salts, compositions, oxides or organic complexes.

Abstract: A Sn-containing In oxide in the form of needles or plates comprising particles having a major axis of 0.1 ?m or less and a minor axis of 0.05 ?m or less.

Abstract: Pyrogenically prepared silica doped with silver or silver oxide is prepared by feeding an aerosol into a flame such as is used for the preparation of pyrogenic silica, mixing the aerosol homogeneously with gas mixture before the reaction, then allowing the aerosol/gas mixture to react in a flame. The resulting pyrogenic silicas doped with silver or silver oxide are separated from the gas stream. The pyrogenic silica doped with silver or silver oxide by means of an aerosol can be used as a bactericidal filler.

Abstract: This invention provides mesostructured oxide ceramics and a synthesizing method thereof, the synthesizing method employs a water-based solvent containing a metallic salt or metal complex as the ceramics precursor, template formed from an organic compound or the association thereof, and a precipitant, wherein mesostructured oxide ceramics are obtained from self-assembled oxide ceramics and organic substance by directly extracting oxide ceramics at a low temperature of 200° C. or less by utilizing a homogenous precipitation reaction from said ceramics precursor under the coexistence of a nanometer-sized template in the solvent, and separating and collecting the obtained precipitation, and mesostructured oxide ceramics is prepared by employing the synthesizing method described above.

Abstract: A metal oxide powder except &agr;-alumina, comprising polyhedral particles having at least 6 planes each, a number average particle size of from 0.1 to 300 &mgr;m, and a D90/D10 ratio of 10 or less where D10 and D90 are particle sizes at 10% and 90% accumulation, respectively from the smallest particle size side in a cumulative particle size curve of the particles. This metal oxide powder contains less agglomerated particles, and has a narrow particle size distribution and a uniform particle shape.

Abstract: A method of producing fine particles of an oxide of a metal, comprising the steps of: preparing an acidic solution which contains ions of the metal; precipitating fine particles of a hydroxide of the metal by adding an alkaline solution to the acidic solution; collecting the fine particles of the hydroxide of the metal precipitated in a mixed solution of the acidic solution and the alkaline solution; mixing fine particles of a carbon with the collected fine particles of the hydroxide of the metal; and heat-treating a mixture of the fine particles of the hydroxide of the metal and the fine particles of the carbon at a predetermined temperature in a non-reducing atmosphere, whereby the fine particles of the oxide of the metal are produced.

Abstract: There are provided: (1) a process for producing an InSbO4-containing transparent electroconductive film, which comprises the step of sputtering simultaneously: (i) a target (A) for sputtering, which comprises In, Sb and O, and whose atomic ratio of Sb/In is from 0.9 to 1.1, and (ii) a target (B) for sputtering, which comprises Sb, (2) a transparent eletroconductive film, which contains In, Sb and O, and whose atomic ratio of Sb/In is from 0.8 to 1.5, and (3) a target for sputtering, which contains In, Sb and O, and whose atomic ratio of Sb/In is from 1.2 to 2.0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a green emitting phosphor which includes an excess of the ordinary SiO2 component included in parent material Y2−2xSiO5 activated by Tb in terms of stoichiometric ratio. The composition of the above phosphor is represented by chemical formula: {(Y1−y−zMyGdz)1−xTbx}2(Si1−bGebO2)1+aO3 where values of x, y, z, a, and b are assigned, subject to 0<x≦1, 0≦y≦1, 0≦z≦1, 0<a≦1, and 0≦b≦1, and M is at least one element selected from a group comprising Sc, In, La, Lu, Yb, Ce, Eu, Sm, Tm, Ho, Er, and Nd. By using this phosphor, phosphors that emit light of higher luminance with less luminance degradation and are suitable for high-quality image display and imaging devices producing high-quality images are obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modified oxidic material, such as, for example, a tin oxide, as active positive-electrode material in, for example, an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal oxide powder for high precision polishing and prepartion thereof, comprising aggregates formed by cohesion of primary particles, which has a cohesive degree (&agr;) of 1.1 to 2.

Abstract: A two-layer coating for the outer surface of the display screen of a color cathode ray tube (CRT) includes an inner carbon black-based layer and an outer silica-based layer. The inner layer is antistatic, while the outer layer is antireflective. To compensate for the increased absorption of blue light by the carbon black particles, which results in a color video image having a yellowish tint, a blue additive, such as a pigment or dye, is added to the coating to adjust its light absorbance characteristics and provide uniform light absorbance over the entire visible spectrum of 400-700 nm for improved color video image presentation.

Abstract: A ferroelectric Pb5Ge3O11 (PGO) thin film is provided with a metal organic vapor deposition (MOCVD) process and RTP (Rapid Thermal Process) annealing techniques. The PGO film is substantially crystallization with c-axis orientation at temperature between 450 and 650° C. The PGO film has an average grain size of about 0.5 microns, with a deviation in grain size uniformity of less than 10%. Good ferroelectric properties are obtained for a 150 nm thick film with Ir electrodes. The films also show fatigue-free characteristics: no fatigue was observed up to 1×109 switching cycles. The leakage currents increase with increasing applied voltage, and are about 3.6×10−7 A/cm2 at 100 kV/cm. The dielectric constant shows a behavior similar to most ferroelectric materials, with a maximum dielectric constant of about 45. These high quality MOCVD Pb5Ge3O11 films can be used for high density single transistor ferroelectric memory applications because of the homogeneity of the PGO film grain size.

Abstract: Doped, pyrogenically prepared oxides of metals and/or non-metals which are doped with one or more doping components in an amount of 0.00001 to 20 wt. %. The doping component may be a metal and/or non-metal or an oxide and/or a salt of a metal and/or a non-metal. The BET surface area of the doped oxide may be between 5 and 600 m2/g. The doped pyrogenically prepared oxides of metals and/or non-metals are prepared by adding an aerosol which contains an aqueous solution of a metal and/or non-metal to the gas mixture during the flame hydrolysis of vaporizable compounds of metals and/or non-metals.

Abstract: Tin-containing granular magnetic oxide particles comprising spinel-type crystal represented by the formula: Fe3-xSnxO4 wherein x is 0.14 to 0.48, and having a Fe2+ content of 17 to 22% by weight, a lattice constant of 8.41 to 8.49 Å, a magnetization value of 20 to 50 Am2/kg when measured under an applied magnetic field of 79.6 kA/m, and a depth of a groove of not more than 40 &mgr;m at which three or more continuous lines each having a length of not less than 10 mm are developed in a pigment dispersion test using a grind-meter when measured by Hoover's muller method according to JIS K5101 (1991) 9.1. The tin-containing granular magnetic oxide particles of the present invention exhibit a sufficient blackness, a small magnetization value and an excellent dispersibility.

Abstract: A metal oxide of porous structure intercalating or deintercalating lithium ions by the electrochemical reaction, characterized by being provided with regularly ordered pores.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a conductive pigment powder, which includes indium oxide, tin and gold, and having a purple color tone. Other embodiments of the present invention provide a method of producing a conductive pigment powder; a dispersion solution and a transparent conductive film, which include the above-mentioned conductive pigment powder; a method of forming a transparent conductive film; and a cathode ray tube, which includes the above-mentioned transparent conductive film and a transparent substrate.

Abstract: Suspensions and powders based on indium tin oxide are prepared by a method in which indium tin oxide precursors are precipitated from solutions in one or more solvents in the presence of one or more surface-modifying components, the solvent(s) are removed from the precipitate, which is then calcined, one or more surface-modifying components and one or more solvents are added, the mixture is comminuted or dispersed to form a suspension, and the liquid components are separated from the suspension to give a powder. The powder may be converted into a moulding by a shaping process. The materials prepared by this method are especially suitable as coating materials for use in microelectronics and optoelectronics.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a conductive pigment powder, which includes indium oxide, tin and gold, and having a purple color tone. Other embodiments of the present invention provide a method of producing a conductive pigment powder; a dispersion solution and a transparent conductive film, which include the above-mentioned conductive pigment powder; a method of forming a transparent conductive film; and a cathode ray tube, which includes the above-mentioned transparent conductive film and a transparent substrate.

Abstract: A sol-gel process for fabricating bulk, germanium-doped silica bodies useful for a variety of applications, including core rods, substrate tubes, immediate overcladding, pumped fiber lasers, and planar waveguides, is provided. The process involves the steps of providing a dispersion of silica particles in an aqueous quaternary ammonium germanate solution—typically tetramethylammonium germanate, gelling the dispersion to provide a gel body, and drying, heat treating, and sintering the body to provide the germanium-doped silica glass.

Abstract: Methods of forming metal alkoxides and methods of forming precursor solutions of metal alkoxides suitable for the coating of glass in the manufacture of electrochromic devices are disclosed. The method of forming metal alkoxides involves dissolving the metal halide in an anhydrous solvent and reacting it with an alcohol and (together with the addition of the alcohol or subsequently) adding an epoxide, and then evaporating-off the volatile components of the reaction product to leave a solid metal alkoxide that is substantially free of halide. The alkoxide may then be dissolved in a solvent including an alcohol (preferably ethanol) containing a small proportion of water to produce a precursor solution suitable for coating glass, the coating then being hydrolyzed to form a sol-gel and then baked to remove volatile components and to yield a thin layer of metal oxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modified oxidic material, such as, for example, a tin oxide, as active positive-electrode material in, for example, an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: An electrode having a positive-electrode material. The positive electrode material is a tin oxide doped with F, Cl, Br, I, S, Se, Te, B, N or P anions.