In this chapter, the authors present state of the art and formation of sol-gel technology of obtaining multifunctional hybrid silicate materials with technically improved properties. The crucial steps and new approaches to establish the mechanism of formation of noncrystalline systems (sols and products of sol-gel synthesis) are substantiated to be study of the fractal structure of sols, gels and synthesized silicate nanocomposites. The use of sol-gel technology is proved to be especially relevant for the formation of new silicate materials and coatings required for power engineering. New products of sol-gel synthesis, such as catalytic coatings for gas sensors and next-generation electrochemical devices, are shown to be extremely necessary in transport engineering, as well as to ensure the safety of harmful industries, mining, agriculture, and everyday life.
TopBackground
Polymer-inorganic materials are evolved by means of a mechanical mechanism and thermostability in the result of optimal heat transfer powers Wilde A. (2021). The whole class of new materials is the synergy of the powers of the external components. The organic phase can swallow nanoparticles in the middle of a solid “paste” with the optimal parameters of an oxide mesh or a polymeric lanka. As inorganic precursors oxides of silicon and aluminum, vanadium and molybdenum, glass, clay, layered silica and zeolite, phosphates and chalcogenides of metals, oxychloride zaliza, graphite. Particularly, it is a good idea of the method for regulating the size of the pores. These materials are already at once known to exhibit a wide range of components of metal-matrix composites; the stench puffs the taste and hardness of soft metals - such as aluminum, polish, thermochemical, rheological, electrical optical power Koo J. (2006). Such composites can also be enhanced in the quality of chromatographic materials, membrane materials and other materials.
Ecologically optimal are drainless methods of obtaining composite materials, which include the sol-gel method (sol-gel or spin-on-glass process) - such materials as ceramics, phosphors, carriers Rivero-Antúnez P., Zamora-Ledezma C. et al. (2023), catalysts Al Khudhair A., Bouchmella K. et al. (2021), reinforcing agents for plastics and rubber Liu W., Yi S. et al. (2022), adsorbents for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry, etc. Gomes A. L.M., Andrade P.H.M. et al. (2021).
To date, the generally accepted classification of sol-gel hybrid organo-inorganic nanocomposites is absent. However, it is possible to list some, often used names of organo-inorganic hybrids differing in a ratio of organic and inorganic phases, structure, initial components of synthesis and functional purpose.
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ORMOSIL - a material synthesized by mixing the calculated amounts of alkoxysilane Si (OR)4 (R = C2H5, CH3) with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and its derivatives Barshilia H.C., Lakshmi R.V. et al (2022);
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ORMOCER - ceramics modified with organic matter Pirmoradian M., Al-Bakhakh B.A.J. et al. (2022);
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CERAMER - glassy or ceramic materials containing comparable amounts of organic and inorganic components in the volume of the hybrid material Vora R. H. & Lau K.S.Y. (2022);
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Air Force (IPN - interpenetrate networks) - a hybrid material formed by interpenetrating networks of inorganic and organic polymers Smith G. N., Brok E. et al. (2021);
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ORMOLYT - a modified organosilicon electrolyte Imai Y. Naka K. & Chujo Y. (1998).
Hybrid organo-inorganic materials and coatings are also divided into two types by type of chemical bonds, namely Huang H.–H. & Wilkes G.L. (1987):
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Organic and inorganic groups are connected by stable chemical bonds: covalent, coordination, ionic.
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Organic macromolecules are included in the inorganic networks of the molded gel, or vice versa, inorganic molecules or their aggregates are embedded in organic macrostructures. Thus organic and inorganic fragments can be connected only by weak physical communications.