Introduction to Hybrid Materials

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Natural Origins The Development of Hybrid Materials Definition: Hybrid Materials and Nanocomposites Advantages of Combining Inorganic and Organic Species in One Material Interface-determined Materials The Role of the Interaction Mechanisms Synthetic Strategies towards Hybrid Materials In situ Formation of Inorganic Materials Sol–Gel Process Nonhydrolytic Sol–Gel Process Sol–Gel Reactions of Non-Silicates Hybrid Materials by the Sol–Gel Process Hybrid Materials Derived by Combining the Sol–Gel Approach and Organic Polymers Formation of Organic Polymers in Presence of Preformed Inorganic Materials Hybrid Materials by Simultaneous Formation of Both Components Building Block Approach Inorganic Building Blocks Organic Building Blocks Structural Engineering Properties and Applications Characterization of Materials Summary