Catalytic Control of the Kinetics of Sol-Gel Ceramic Synthesis: Research Initiation Award

The ultimate objective of this work is to provide a systematic and quantitative model that can be used to engineer the synthesis of metal oxides from solutions of organometallic precursors. In the present work, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is coupled with chromatography and solids characterization to learn details of the kinetics of the key chemical reactions involved in sol-gel synthesis as functions of the nature and concentration of the (electrolyte) catalyst. Teactant structure, solvent properties, reaction reversibility, diffusion limitations, and multicomponent reactions are also addressed. Data obtained are incorporated into existing quantitative models of sol-gel reactions. In principle, ceramics, glasses and gels can be made with tailored chemical properties, shape or mechanical behavior using sol-gel ceramic synthesis technology, in which organometallic procursos in solution are polymerized to metal oxides. Realization of this capability depends upon improved quantitative understanding of the chemistry of these systems.