Better Ceramics Through Chemistry

TLDR: In this article, the authors apply polymeric network theory to the design of gel ultrastructures and apply scaling calculations based on molecular orbital calculations for prediction of the silanol polymerization mechanism.

Abstract: The ultrastructural control of materials through sol-gel processes offers significant promise for the achievement of reliable performance in ceramics, glass and composites. Several examples of new structural, optical and electromagnetic materials with superior and unique properties are presented based on maximal homogeneity or heterogeneity attained through understanding of the fundamental chemistry. New concepts such as ceramic molecular composites and optically active gels have been derived through polymer, physical and synthetic chemistry. Scaling calculations based on molecular orbital calculations for prediction of the silanol polymerization mechanism, and hierarchical clustering predictions for the sol-gel derived ultrastructures are presented. The application of polymeric network theory to the design of gel ultrastructures is presented.