Role of Sol-Gels in Modern Day Society
Abstract
Sol-gel synthesis is the process of creating a crystalline solid from colloidal suspensions, known as sols, of a solid in a liquid. In the process of forming sol-gels, a precursor, usually a metal or metalloid, is surrounded by nonmetallic ligands where it undergoes hydrolysis and condensation reactions. These reactions lead to polymerization, the formation of a large molecule that expands throughout its container by branching and connecting to other molecules. These branches trap the solvent within the polymer, creating solvent reservoirs and ideal environments for entrapping additional molecules known as dopants. The resulting product is a highly viscous doped sol-gel that eventually hardens into a solid xerogel. Sol-gels have a plethora of applications and can be made into protective films and coatings, used as reaction components and abrasives, and components of fiber optic technology. This presentation highlights some of the sol-gel synthesis and applications used in the Lisse research group.
Session Name:
Poster Presentation Session #2 - Poster #20
Start Date
10-4-2015 12:15 PM
End Date
10-4-2015 1:00 PM
Location
HSB 3rd Floor Student Commons
Role of Sol-Gels in Modern Day Society
HSB 3rd Floor Student Commons
Sol-gel synthesis is the process of creating a crystalline solid from colloidal suspensions, known as sols, of a solid in a liquid. In the process of forming sol-gels, a precursor, usually a metal or metalloid, is surrounded by nonmetallic ligands where it undergoes hydrolysis and condensation reactions. These reactions lead to polymerization, the formation of a large molecule that expands throughout its container by branching and connecting to other molecules. These branches trap the solvent within the polymer, creating solvent reservoirs and ideal environments for entrapping additional molecules known as dopants. The resulting product is a highly viscous doped sol-gel that eventually hardens into a solid xerogel. Sol-gels have a plethora of applications and can be made into protective films and coatings, used as reaction components and abrasives, and components of fiber optic technology. This presentation highlights some of the sol-gel synthesis and applications used in the Lisse research group.