Abstract: The invention discloses a positive electrode active material for a magnesium secondary battery or lithium ion secondary battery, including: a particle including a nucleus and a crystal of vanadium oxide grown from the nucleus as a starting point and having a maximum length of 5 ?m or less in the major axis direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an ultra-high voltage cobalt-free cathode for alkali ion batteries may include an anode, a cathode, and a separator, with the cathode comprising an active material ANi(1-x)MnxSbOy, where x is a number between 0.0 and 1.0, y is an integer, and A comprises one or more of lithium, sodium, and potassium. The anode may include one or more of an alkali metal, silicon, and carbon. In one example, x is a value in the range between 0.05 and 0.9 and y is a value in the range between 1 and 8 where a specific capacity of the active material is greater than 50 milliamp-hours per gram. In another example, x is a value in the range between 0.4 and 0.6 and y is a value in the range between 1 and 8, where a specific capacity of the active material is greater than 70 milliamp-hours per gram.

Abstract: A dry process for coating Ni-rich cathode powder with cubic LLZO powder prepared by flame spray pyrolysis.

Abstract: Solid-state lithium ion electrolytes of lithium fluoride based composites are provided which contain an anionic framework capable of conducting lithium ions. Composites of specific formulae are provided and methods to alter the composite materials with inclusion of aliovalent ions shown. Lithium batteries containing the composite lithium ion electrolytes are provided. Electrodes containing the lithium fluoride based composites are also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a solid electrolyte including at least one layer with no nitrogen and which includes LixPOySz, with 0<z?3, 2.1?x?2.4, and 1?y?4. A battery including the electrolyte, and a method for producing the electrolyte, are also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a metal sheet producing method that can avoid a decrease in magnetic properties. The metal sheet producing method is a method for producing metal sheets by applying heat treatment to metal sheets made of amorphous soft magnetic material while conveying the metal sheets along a bar and thus crystallizing the amorphous soft magnetic material into nano-crystal soft magnetic material. The method includes attaching the plurality of metal sheets in a laminated state to an upstream portion of the bar, separating the plurality of metal sheets from each other using magnetic force and moving the metal sheets while applying heat treatment thereto so as to allow them to pass by a midstream portion of the bar, and sequentially laminating the metal sheets that have passed by the midstream portion on a downstream portion of the bar.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is provided. The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a container member, a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The container member is provided with a gas relief structure. The negative electrode includes a negative electrode mixture layer. The negative electrode mixture layer contains a titanium-containing oxide and Mn. Abundance ratios RTi, RMn, RA and RB obtained according to an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectrum of the negative electrode mixture layer satisfy the following relational expressions: 0.01?RMn/RTi?0.2??(1); 3?RA/RMn?50??(2); and 0.5?RA/RB?5??(3).

Abstract: A composite cathode active material, and a cathode and a lithium battery each including the composite cathode active material. The composite cathode active material includes: a core including a first lithium transition metal oxide represented by Formula 1, LiaMO2 wherein, in Formula 1, M includes Ni and at least one non-nickel Group 4 to Group 13 element, a content of Ni is about 70 mol % or greater, based on a total content of M, 0.9?a?1.1, and wherein the first lithium transition metal oxide has a layered crystal structure belonging to an R3m space group; and a shell on a surface of the core, the shell having a spinel crystal structure and including a dopant.

Abstract: Electrodes are formed with a porous layer of particulate electrode material bonded to each of the two major sides of a compatible metal current collector. In one embodiment, opposing electrodes are formed with like lithium-ion battery anode materials or like cathode materials or capacitor materials on both sides of the current collector. In another embodiment, a battery electrode material is applied to one side of a current collector and capacitor material is applied to the other side. In general, the electrodes are formed by combining a suitable grouping of capacitor layers with un-equal numbers of anode and cathode battery layers. One or more pairs of opposing electrodes are assembled to provide a combination of battery and capacitor energy and power properties in a hybrid electrochemical cell. The cells may be formed by stacking or winding rolls of the opposing electrodes with interposed separators.

Abstract: A nanoscale ionic material composition, such as but not limited to a nanoscale ionic solid material composition, a nanoscale ionic gel material composition or a nanoscale ionic liquid material composition, may be prepared using an acid/base reaction directly between: (1) one of an acid functional and a base functional inorganic metal oxide nanoparticle core absent an organofunctional corona; and (2) a corresponding complementary one of a basic and acidic functional organic polymer material canopy. Desirably, the nanoscale ionic material composition is formed absent an intervening chemical functionalization process step with respect to the inorganic metal oxide nanoparticle core that provides the corona, such as but not limited to a silane coupling agent chemical functionalization process step with respect to the inorganic metal oxide nanoparticle core to provide the corona.

Abstract: An electrochemical device is claimed and disclosed, including a method of manufacturing the same, comprising an environmentally sensitive material, such as, for example, a lithium anode; and a plurality of alternating thin metallic and ceramic, blocking sub-layers. The multiple metallic and ceramic, blocking sub-layers encapsulate the environmentally sensitive material. The device may include a stress modulating layer, such as for example, a Lipon layer between the environmentally sensitive material and the encapsulation layer.

Abstract: An anode electrode for an energy storage device includes both an ion intercalation material and a pseudocapacitive material. The ion intercalation material may be a NASICON material, such as NaTi2(PO4)3 and the pseudocapacitive material may be an activated carbon material. The energy storage device also includes a cathode, an electrolyte and a separator.

Abstract: An electrolyte solution comprising an additive wherein the additive is not substantially consumed during charge and discharge cycles of the electrochemical cell. Additives include Lewis acids, electron-rich transition metal complexes, and electron deficient pi-conjugated systems.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided an active material. The active material contains a composite oxide represented by a following general formula: the general formula: Lix(Nb1?yTay)2?zTi1+0.5zM0.5zO7, in which 0?x?5, 0?y?1, and 0<z?1, and M is at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Mo and W.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided an active material. The active material contains a composite oxide represented by the following general: a general formula Lix(Nb1-yTay)2+0.5zTi1-zM0.5zO7 (0?x?5, 0?y?1, and 0<z?1). In this formula, M is at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, V, Cr, Fe, Co, Mn, Al, and Ga.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there are provided an active material for a battery having a high effective capacity, a nonaqueous electrolyte battery, and a battery pack. The active material contains a niobium-titanium composite oxide. When the active material is subjected to powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) using a Cu-K? ray source, a peak appears in a range of 2?=5°±0.5° in the diffraction pattern.

Abstract: A secondary battery includes: a cathode; an anode; and an electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution includes an unsaturated cyclic ester carbonate and one or more selected from a group configured of aromatic compounds, dinitrile compounds, sulfinyl compounds, and lithium salts.

Abstract: Provided is a cathode active material including a complex coating layer, which includes M below, formed on a surface of the cathode active material through reaction of a lithium transition metal oxide represented by Formula 1 below with a coating precursor: LixMO2??(1) wherein M is represented by MnaM?1-b, M? is at least one selected from the group consisting of Al, Mg, Ni, Co, Cr, V, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ti and B, 0.95?x?1.5, and 0.5?a?1. The lithium secondary battery including the cathode active material exhibits improved lifespan and rate characteristics due to superior stability.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a phosphate framework electrode material for sodium ion battery and a method for synthesizing such electrode material. A surfactant and precursors including a sodium precursor, a phosphate precursor, a transition metal precursor are dissolved in a solvent and stirred for sufficient mixing and reaction. The precursors are reacted to yield a precipitate of particles of NaxAbMy(PO4)zXn compound and with the surfactant attached to the particles. The solvent is then removed and the remaining precipitate is sintered to crystallize the particles. During sintering, the surfactant is decomposed to form a carbon network between the crystallized particles and the crystallized particles and the carbon matrix are integrated to form the electrode material.

Abstract: A method for making a lithium battery cathode material is disclosed. A mixed solution including a solvent, an iron salt material, a vanadium source material and a phosphate material is provided. An alkaline solution is added in the mixed solution to make the mixed solution have a pH value ranging from about 1.5 to 5. The iron salt, the vanadium source material and the phosphate material react with each other to form a plurality particles of iron phosphate precursor doped with vanadium which are added in a mixture of a lithium source solution and a reducing agent to form a slurry of lithium iron phosphate precursor doped with vanadium. The slurry of lithium iron phosphate precursor doped with vanadium is heat-treated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel phosphate based composite anode material, preparation method and uses thereof. Specifically disclosed is a phosphate based composite cell anode material, the material having monoclinic and orthorhombic crystal lattice structures with the chemical formula of A3-xV2-yMY(PO4)3, wherein A is Li+, Na+ or the mixture thereof, M is Mg, Al, Sc, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn or Nb, 0?x?3.0, 0?y?2.0, and C is the carbon layer. Also disclosed are a preparation method and uses of the composite material. Unlike simple physical mixing, the composite material of the present invention has the advantages of an adjustable electric potential plateau, high reversible capacity, good cycle stability, power consumption early warning and the like.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a lithium-rich positive electrode material, a lithium battery positive electrode, and a lithium battery. The lithium-rich positive electrode material has a coating structure, where a general structural formula of a core of the coating structure is as follows: z[xLi2MO3·(1?x)LiMeO2]·(1?z)Li1+dMy2?dO, where in the formula, 0<x<1, 0<z<1, and 0<d<?; M is at least one of Mn, Ti, Zr, and Cr, Me is at least one of Mn, Co, Ni, Ti, Cr, V, Fe, Al, Mg, and Zr, and My is at least one of Mn, Ni, and Co; and a coating layer of the coating structure is a compound whose general formula is MmMz, where in the formula, Mm is at least one of Zn, Ti, Zr, and Al, and Mz is O or F. The lithium battery positive electrode and the lithium battery both include the lithium-rich positive electrode material.

Abstract: To provide an active material with high capacity, high initial charge-discharge efficiency, and high average discharge voltage. An active material according to the present invention includes a first active material and a second active material, wherein the ratio (?) of the second active material (B) to the total amount by mole of the first active material (A) and the second active material (B) satisfies 0.4 mol %???18 mol % [where ?=(B/(A+B))×100].

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a cathode material composite having improved conductivity, and a cathode and electrochemical device having the cathode material composite. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a conductive polymer is positioned on the surface of a shell present in the form of a tetragonal structure in the lithium manganese oxide, thereby enhancing electrical conductivity to be highly involved in reaction around 3V, and providing a conductive path to improve the capacity, life and rate characteristics of an electrochemical device.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a Ni—Mn composite oxalate powder, including a plurality of biwedge octahedron particles represented by the general formula: NiqMnxCoyMzC2O4.nH2O, wherein q+x+y+z=1, 0<q, x<1, 0?y<1, 0?z<0.15, 0?n?5, and M is at least one of Mg, Sr, Ba, Cd, Zn, Al, Ga, B, Zr, Ti, Ca, Ce, Y, Nb, Cr, Fe and V. The above powder may be further calcined with a lithium salt to form a lithium transition metal oxide powder for use as a positive electrode material in lithium ion-batteries.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery disclosed in the present application includes: a positive electrode capable of absorbing and releasing lithium, containing a positive electrode active material composed of a lithium-containing transition metal oxide having a layered crystalline structure; and a negative electrode capable of absorbing and releasing lithium, containing a negative electrode active material composed of a lithium-containing transition metal oxide obtained by substituting some of Ti element of a lithium-containing titanium oxide having a spinel crystalline structure with one or more element different from Ti, wherein a retention of the negative electrode is set to be greater than a retention of the positive electrode, and an irreversible capacity rate of the negative electrode is set to be greater than an irreversible capacity rate of the positive electrode, whereby a discharge ends by negative electrode limitation.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a negative electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte battery includes a titanium oxide compound having a crystal structure of monoclinic titanium dioxide. When a monoclinic titanium dioxide is used as the active material, the effective capacity is significantly lower than the theoretical capacity though the theoretical capacity was about 330 mAh/g. The invention comprises a titanium oxide compound which has a crystal structure of monoclinic titanium dioxide and a (001) plane spacing of 6.22 ? or more in the powder X-ray diffraction method using a Cu-K? radiation source, thereby making an attempt to improve effective capacity.

Abstract: Provided is a lithium metal compound oxide having a layered structure, which is very excellent as a positive electrode active material of a battery that is mounted on, particularly, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. Suggested is a lithium metal compound oxide having a layered structure which is expressed by general formula of Li1+xM1?xO2 (M represents metal elements including three elements of Mn, Co, and Ni). In the lithium metal compound oxide having a layered structure, D50 is more than 4 ?m and less than 20 ?m, a ratio of a primary particle area to a secondary particle area of secondary particles having a size corresponding to the D50 (“primary particle area/secondary particle area”) is 0.004 to 0.035, and the minimum value of powder crushing strength that is obtained by crushing a powder using a microcompression tester is more than 70 MPa.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonaqueous electrolyte battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, a copper-containing member, and a nonaqueous electrolyte is provided. The negative electrode includes a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material-containing layer. The negative electrode current collector includes aluminum or aluminum alloy. The negative electrode active material-containing layer is formed on the negative electrode current collector. The copper-containing member includes copper or copper alloy. The copper-containing member is electrically connected to the negative electrode current collector to prevent from over-discharge.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a lithium ion battery which is excellent in properties at large current and can be applied to applications requiring high output power even when the mixture layers are made thick. The present invention provides a lithium ion battery including a positive electrode including a positive electrode mixture layer formed on a current collector, a negative electrode including a negative electrode mixture layer formed on a current collector and an electrolyte, the positive electrode and the negative electrode being disposed through the intermediary of a separator, wherein the positive electrode includes as a positive electrode active material a lithium composite oxide represented by LiNiaMnbCOcMdO2 (in the formula, M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Fe, V, Ti, Cu, Al, Sn, Zn, Mg, B and W, a+b+c+d=1, 0.2?a?0.8, 0.1?b?0.4, 0?c?0.4 and 0?d?0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cathode (positive electrode) of a lithium battery and a process for producing this cathode. The electrode comprises a cathode active material-coated graphene sheet and the graphene sheet has two opposed parallel surfaces, wherein at least 50% area (preferably >80%) of one of the two surfaces is coated with a cathode active material coating. The graphene material is in an amount of from 0.1% to 99.5% by weight and the cathode active material is in an amount of at least 0.5% by weight (preferably >80% and more preferably >90%), all based on the total weight of the graphene material and the cathode active material combined. The cathode active material is preferably an inorganic material, an organic or polymeric material, a metal oxide/phosphate/sulfide, or a combination thereof. The invention also provides a lithium battery, including a lithium-ion, lithium-metal, or lithium-sulfur battery.

Abstract: The invention relates to electrodes that contain active materials of the formula: AaMbXzOy wherein A is one or more alkali metals selected from lithium,sodium and potassium; M is selected from one or more transition metals and/or one or more non-transition metals and/or one or more metalloids; X comprises one or more atoms selected from niobium, antimony, tellurium, tantalum, bismuth and selenium; and further wherein 0<a?6; b is in the range: 0<b?4; x is in the range 0<x?1 and y is in the range 2?y?10. Such electrodes are useful in, for example, sodium and/or lithium ion battery applications.

Abstract: An active material contains a triclinic LiVOPO4 crystal particle, while the crystal particle has a spherical form and an average particle size of 20 to 200 nm.

Abstract: A cathode active material, a preparation method thereof, and a cathode for a lithium secondary battery and a lithium secondary battery including the cathode active material, wherein the cathode active material includes a core active material represented by Formula 1 below; and a coating layer formed on a surface of the core active material, the coating layer including lithium gallium oxide: Lia(A1-x-yBxCy)O2 ??Formula 1 In Formula 1, a, x, y, A, B, and C are defined in the detailed description.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sheet-form electrode for a secondary battery, comprising a current collector; an electrode active material layer formed on one surface of the current collector; a conductive layer formed on the electrode active material layer and comprising a conductive material and a binder; and a first porous supporting layer formed on the conductive layer. The sheet-form electrode for a secondary battery according to the present disclosure has supporting layers on at least one surfaces thereof to exhibit surprisingly improved flexibility and prevent the release of the electrode active material layer from a current collector even if intense external forces are applied to the electrode, thereby preventing the decrease of battery capacity and improving the cycle life characteristic of the battery.

Abstract: Lithium-rich compounds that are precursors for positive electrodes for lithium cells and batteries comprise a Li2O-containing compound as one component, and a second charged or partially-charged component, selected preferably from a metal oxide, a lithium-metal-oxide, a metal phosphate or metal sulfate compound. Li2O is extracted from the electrode precursors to activate the electrode either by electrochemical methods or by chemical methods. Methods for synthesizing and activating the electrodes, electrochemical cells, and batteries containing such electrodes also are described.

Abstract: A composite cathode active material, a method of preparing the composite cathode active material, a cathode including the composite cathode active material, and a lithium battery including the cathode. The composite cathode active material includes a lithium intercalatable material; and a garnet oxide, wherein an amount of the garnet oxide is about 1.9 wt % or less, based on a total weight of the composite cathode active material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cathode formulations comprising a lithium ion-based electroactive material having a D50 ranging from 1 ?m to 6 ?m; and carbon black having BET surface area ranging from 130 to 700 m2/g and an OAN ranging from 150 mL/100 g to 300 mL/100 g. Also disclosed are cathode formulations comprising a first lithium ion-based electroactive material having a particle size distribution of 1 ?m?D50?5 ?m, and a second lithium ion-based electroactive material having a particle size distribution of 5 ?m<D50?15 ?m. Cathodes comprising these active materials can exhibit a maximum pulse power in W/kg and W/L of the mixture higher than maximum pulse power of the first or second electroactive material individually, or an energy density in Wh/kg and Wh/L of the mixture higher than energy density of the first or second electroactive material individually. The cathode formulations can further comprise carbon black having BET surface area ranging from 130 to 700 m2/g.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sheet-form electrode for a secondary battery, comprising a current collector; an electrode active material layer formed on one surface of the current collector; and a first porous supporting layer formed on the electrode active material layer. The sheet-form electrode for a secondary battery according to the present disclosure has supporting layers on at least one surface thereof to exhibit surprisingly improved flexibility and prevent the release of the electrode active material layer from a current collector even if intense external forces are applied to the electrode, thereby preventing the decrease of battery capacity and improving the cycle life characteristic of the battery.

Abstract: Composite silicon based materials are described that are effective active materials for lithium ion batteries. The composite materials comprise processed, e.g., high energy mechanically milled, silicon suboxide and graphitic carbon in which at least a portion of the graphitic carbon is exfoliated into graphene sheets. The composite materials have a relatively large surface area, a high specific capacity against lithium, and good cycling with lithium metal oxide cathode materials. The composite materials can be effectively formed with a two step high energy mechanical milling process. In the first milling process, silicon suboxide can be milled to form processed silicon suboxide, which may or may not exhibit crystalline silicon x-ray diffraction. In the second milling step, the processed silicon suboxide is milled with graphitic carbon. Composite materials with a high specific capacity and good cycling can be obtained in particular with balancing of the processing conditions.

Abstract: There is provided a preparation method of a sodium vanadium oxide-based (Na1+xV1-xO2) anode material for a sodium ion secondary battery synthesized by mixing particles of precursors such as sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and vanadium oxide (V2O3) and pyrolyzing a mixture in a mixed gas atmosphere composed of 90 mol % of nitrogen gas and 10 mol % of hydrogen gas through a solid-state reaction. The sodium vanadium oxide-based anode material prepared according to the present invention shows a small change in volume caused by an initial irreversible capacity and continuous charge/discharge reactions, and thus it is useful for providing a next-generation sodium ion secondary battery having stable charge/discharge characteristics and cycle performance.

Abstract: Anode active materials and methods of preparing the same are provided. One anode active material includes a carbonaceous material capable of improving battery cycle characteristics. The carbonaceous material bonds to and coats metal active material particles and fibrous metallic particles to suppress volumetric changes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lithium ion secondary battery positive electrode, a lithium ion secondary battery, a vehicle mounting the same, and an electric power storage system, which improve the electron conductivity even inside an active material formed into a secondary particle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anode active material with whole particle concentration gradient for a lithium secondary battery, a method for preparing same, and a lithium secondary battery having same, and more specifically, to a composite anode active material, a method for manufacturing same, and a lithium secondary battery having same, the composite anode active material having excellent lifetime characteristics and charge/discharge characteristics through the stabilization of crystal structure as the concentration of a metal comprising the anode active material shows concentration gradient in the whole particle, and having thermostability even in high temperatures.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of manufacturing an electrode for secondary batteries that includes surface-treating a current collector so as to have a morphology wherein a surface roughness Ra of 0.001 ?m to 10 ?m is formed over the entire surface thereof to enhance adhesion between an electrode active material and the current collector and an electrode for secondary batteries that is manufactured using the method.

Abstract: Provided is positive electrode material for a highly safe lithium-ion secondary battery that can charge and discharge a large current while having long service life. Disclosed are composite particles comprising: particles of lithium-containing phosphate; and carbon coating comprising at least one carbon material selected from the group consisting of (i) fibrous carbon material, (ii) chain-like carbon material, and (iii) carbon material produced by linking together fibrous carbon material and chain-like carbon material, wherein each particle is coated with the carbon coating. The fibrous carbon material is preferably a carbon nanotube with an average fiber size of 5 to 200 nm. The chain-like carbon material is preferably carbon black produced by linking, like a chain, primary particles with an average particle size of 10 to 100 nm. The lithium-containing phosphate is preferably LiFePO4, LiMnPO4, LiMnXFe(1-X)PO4, LiCoPO4, or Li3V2(PO4)3.

Abstract: Disclosed are a cathode active material for a lithium secondary battery, and a lithium secondary battery including the same. The disclosed cathode active material includes a core including a compound represented by Formula 1; and a shell including a compound represented by Formula 2, in which the core and the shell have different material compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a graphene coating-modified electrode plate for lithium secondary battery, characterized in that, the electrode plate comprises a current collector foil, graphene layers coated on both surfaces of the current collector foil, and electrode active material layers coated on the graphene layers. A graphene coating-modified electrode plate for lithium secondary battery according to the present invention comprises a current collector foil, graphene layers coated on both surfaces of the current collector foil, and electrode active material layers coated on the graphene layers. The graphene-modified electrode plate for lithium secondary battery thus obtained increases the electrical conductivity and dissipation functions of the electrode plate due to the better electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity of graphene. The present invention further provides a method for producing a graphene coating-modified electrode plate for lithium secondary battery.

Abstract: A compound comprising a composition Ax(M?1?aM?a)y(XD4)z, Ax(M?1?aM?a)y(DXD4)z, or Ax(M?1?aM?a)y(X2D7)z, (A1?aM?a)xM?y(XD4)z, (A1?aM?a)xM?y(DXD4)z, or (A1?aM?a)xM?y(X2D7)z. In the compound, A is at least one of an alkali metal and hydrogen, M? is a first-row transition metal, X is at least one of phosphorus, sulfur, arsenic, molybdenum, and tungsten, M? any of a Group IIA, IIIA, IVA, VA, VIA, VIIA, VIIIA, IB, IIB, IIIB, IVB, VB, and VIB metal, D is at least one of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, or a halogen, 0.0001<a?0.1, and x, y, and z are greater than zero. The compound can be used in an electrochemical device including electrodes and storage batteries.

Abstract: In general, according to one embodiment, an active material for battery includes a monoclinic complex oxide. The monoclinic complex oxide is expressed by the general formula LixM1M22O(7±?) (wherein M1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Si, and Sn, M2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Nb, V, Ta, Bi, and Mo, 0?x?5, and 0???0.3), and has symmetry belonging to the space group C2/m (International tables Vol. A No. 12), and one element of the M2 or M1 being maldistributed in the occupied 2a and 4i sites in a crystal of the monoclinic complex oxide.