Polymer sol-gel synthesis of hybrid nanocomposites

The current state and main problems of polymer sol-gel synthesis as a method of the preparation of hybrid polymer-inorganic nanocomposites are analyzed. The general characterization of sol-gel reactions is given and the routes of the combination of sol-gel synthesis with the polymerization of traditional monomers are considered. Particular attention is given to the formation of sol-gel precursors in the presence of organic polymers, including the formation of interpenetrating hybrid networks. The specificity of hybrid nanocomposites based on multicomponent ceramics is discussed. The sol-gel process is analyzed as a promising route for the preparation of bioceramics in the presence of templates.