Patent ID: 6849208

Claim:
Nickel mixed hydroxide with Ni as the main element and with a layer structure, comprising a) at least one element M a from the group comprising Fe, Cr, Co, Ti, Zr and Cu which is present in two different oxidation states which differ by one electron in terms of the number of outer electrons, wherein the degree of oxidation α of the element M a , defined according to the following formula (I), is from 0.25 to 0.75 α = M a + ( x + 1 ) M a + ( x + 1 ) + M a + x , ( I ) wherein M a +(x+1) means the molar quantity of the element M a in the higher oxidation state, and M a +(x) the molar quantity of the element M a in the lower oxidation state, and x is a number between 1 and 3; b) at least one element M b from the group comprising B, Al, Ga, In and rare earth metals present in the trivalent oxidation state; c) optionally at least one element M c from the group comprising Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Zn present in the divalent oxidation state; d) apart from the hydroxide, at least one additional anion selected from the group consisting of halides, carbonate, sulfate, acetate, oxalate, borate and phosphate in a quantity sufficient to preserve the electroneutrality of the mixed hydroxide; and e) water of hydration in a quantity which stabilizes the relevant structure of the mixed hydroxide.