	US 11,739,438 B2
	Method of producing metal oxides with increased electrical conductivity
Michael Kandianis, Houston, TX (US); and Oliver Pluemper, Houten (NL)
Assigned to SHELL USA, INC., Houston, TX (US)
Filed by SHELL OIL COMPANY, Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Apr. 30, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/863,078.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/840,859, filed on Apr. 30, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2020/0347518 A1, Nov. 5, 2020
Int. Cl. C30B 33/00 (2006.01); C30B 33/02 (2006.01); C01F 5/02 (2006.01); C30B 29/16 (2006.01)

CPC C30B 33/02 (2013.01) [C01F 5/02 (2013.01); C30B 29/16 (2013.01); C01P 2002/77 (2013.01); C01P 2006/40 (2013.01); C01P 2006/80 (2013.01)]

9 Claims

1. A method for increasing the conductivity of an oxide with crystal structure belonging to the 4/m 32/m point group comprising:

(a) providing a single crystal metal oxide with crystal structure belonging to 4/m 32/m point group,

(b) contacting the single crystal metal oxide with crystal structure belonging to 4/m 32/m point group with nitrogen gas at a temperature in the range of at least ambient temperature to at most 80° C. thereby providing a first nitrogen contacted metal oxide;

(c) contacting the first nitrogen contacted metal oxide with oxygen gas at a temperature in the range of at least ambient temperature to at most 80° C. thereby providing a first oxygen contacted metal oxide;

(d) contacting the first oxygen contacted metal oxide with nitrogen gas at a temperature in the range of at least ambient temperature to at most 80° C. thereby providing a second nitrogen contacted metal oxide;

(e) contacting the second nitrogen contacted metal oxide with oxygen gas at a temperature in the range of at least 40° C. to at most 80° C. thereby providing a second oxygen contacted metal oxide; and

(f) contacting the second oxygen contacted metal oxide with nitrogen gas at a temperature in the range of at least 40° C. to at most 80° C. thereby providing an increased conductivity crystalline metal oxide with a crystal structure belonging to 4/m 32/m point group oxide.