Current status of sol–gel processing of glasses, ceramics, and organic–inorganic hybrids: a brief review

Sol–gel process is defined by IUPAC as "process through which a network is formed from solution by a progressive change of liquid precursor into a sol, to a gel, and in most cases finally to a dry network". Among the many recent topics on sol–gel processing, the synthesis and applications of nonporous glasses and ceramics, aerogels, and mesoporous and/or nanostructured materials are briefly reviewed in terms of reaction mechanisms, process optimization, and functionalities.