Preparation of glasses and ceramics from metal-organic compounds

Abstract

The preparation of glass and ceramic systems from metal-organic compounds permits the mixing of the constituents at the molecular level. These mixes form clear glasses or sinter to dense bodies at temperatures considerably lower than the equivalent compositions prepared by classical methods. A significant recent development in this field has been the preparation of monolithic glass and ceramic material without the need of melting or high temperature sintering. Glass-forming reactions, previously achievable only by thermal means, can take place by chemical polymerization at room temperatures. Structural studies indicate that these materials are indeed amorphous or glassy in naturE. Thus, the often used description of glass as a “supercooled liquid” is, in the literal sense, inapplicable for these materials.