Sol–gel process

The sol-gel process is a versatile chemical method used to produce solid materials from small molecules. This process typically involves the transition of a solution (sol) into a solid (gel) phase. It is widely used in the fields of materials science, optics, and ceramics to create thin films, coatings, and porous materials. ### Key Stages of the Sol-Gel Process: 1. **Sol Formation**: The process begins with the preparation of a colloidal solution (sol).