Sol-Gel Processing and Applications

During my professional career, I developed a strong interest in sol-gel technology, and worked on both xerogel and aerogel systems. My fascination with aerogels has driven me to explore their commercial potential, which is currently an important component of my company's business plan. Together with my co-workers, I have also worked on the preparation of controlled PZT and silica xerogels as well as thin film coatings of metals by the sol-gel technology, These experiences convinced me of the tremendous potentials of this technology. A conviction that is shared by many scientists, engineers, and business leaders around the globe. Many sol-gel derived products are already articles of commerce. However, to expand the commercial potential of sol-gel technology, two challenges must be met: (1) the quality of sol-gel derived products must continue to meet or exceed the quality of competing products, (2) the production cost of sol-gel products (specially aerogels) must continued to decline. A key to lowering the costs of sol-gel products is finding inexpensive precursors.

Springer Book Archives

SolGel Fundamentals: Sol Formation & Polymerization: Effect of Ageing on the Formation, Structure and Crystallization of Titania Colloids (J.R. Bartlett, J.L. Woolfrey). Heterometal Alkoxides as Precursors in the Sol-Gel Process (R.C. Mehrotra). Sol-Gel Thin Films & Coatings: Laser Processing of Multilayer Interference Filters (B.D. Fabes et al.). Sol-Gel Derived Optical Composites (D.S. Hagberg, D.A. Payne). Advanced SolGel Materials: Monolithic Optical Materials (E.J.A. Pope). Tantalum Oxidepolymer Composites for Improved Solvent Resistance and X-ray Absorption (S.T. Wellinghoff, S.F. Timmons). Preparation of Advanced Aerogels: A Short History of the Preparation of Aerogels and Carbogels (G.M. Pajonk). Correlation between the Solution of Chemistry and the Properties of Alumina Aerogels (E. Ponthieu et al.). Recent/Novel Applications of Aerogels: Sol-Gel Prepared Aerogels for the Capture of Pollution Gases (Y.A. Attia et al.). Zirconia Aerogel Transformed into a Reservoir of Hydrogen by Spillover from Supported ZnO and/or CuO (S.J. Teichner et al.). 24 additional articles. Index.