Follow us de en NEWS JOBS Share on Who we are ? R&D Products & services Surface features Coating technologies Applications Contact HomeCoating technologiesSol-Gel What is Sol-Gel ? What is Sol-Gel ? A simple way to produce silica (glass) from solution corresponds to a chemical reaction implying metal alkoxides and water in an alcoholic solvent. The first reaction is a hydrolysis which induces the substitution of OR groups linked to silicon by silanol Si-OH groups. These chemical species may react together to form Si-O-Si (siloxane) bonds which lead to the silica network formation. This phase establishes a 3D network. The liquid used as solvent to perform the different chemical reactions remains within the pores of the so formed solid network. A gel is thus obtained. Removing the solvent located within the pores leads to a dried gel named "xerogel", a word issued from the Greek word "xeros" which means "dry". Sintering at low temperature causes a densification of the xerogel film which becomes dense. Multifunctional sol-gel coatings The sol-gel technique has many advantages for the development of innovative coatings: due to the mild and relatively low temperatures involved (ambient to 250 °C), the sol-gel process is compatible with reactions of the organic chemistry. It therefore becomes possible to associate organic and inorganic species into a single material/layer to finally obtain a hybrid compound/coating with new unexpected opportunities for new innovative surfaces. The composition of hybrid coatings may be modified with suitable chemical species to: develop colors improve scratch resistance provide optical functions (switching, amplification etc.) strengthen mechanically and chemically the surface of the substrate prepare planar guiding structures prepare antibacterial coatings … The technological implementation (dip-, spin-, spray-, roll-coating) is simple, inexpensive and applicable to parts of complex geometry and of different sizes, nature (metal, ceramic, glass, polymer, textile, wood ...) and/or fragility. The flexibility of the method makes it possible to obtain film thicknesses ranging generally from 1 nanometer to 20 microns. IONICS developed a wide range of hybrid multifunctional sol-gel coatings, which are marketed under the product name “NANOXID”. Documents You can download all datasheets in our page NANOXID paints and links Need help ? You need innovative surface technologies ? You already have a coating technology in mind or you are looking for advice and/or expertise ? The menu hereunder will help you to easily find the adequate surface solution for your application. Make your choice Express form Keep me informed Enter the code in the image * These fields are mandatory Contact IONICS SA (Headquarter) 1 Rue des Alouettes B-4042 Liers Belgium T. +32 (0)4 278 91 60 F. +32 (0)4 278 96 90 VAT BE 0544.931.548 Member of Subsidiary of IONICS IONICS© 2015 Privacy policy Terms & Conditions Website by visible.be