Glasses from metal alcoholates

Abstract

Developments in the technique of preparing oxide glasses from metal alcoholates through hydrolysis, gelling and heating at low temperatures have been reviewed. This technique makes it possible to produce (1) glasses of very high purity and (2) glasses of compositions which the conventional melting technique could not give because of immiscibility, crystallization and high melting temperatures. This technique can provide glasses having various shapes such as fibers, thin coating films, isolated films and bulk glasses. Discussion was made on the microscopic processes leading to fibers and bulk glasses. © 1980, All rights reserved.