SOL-GEL SYNTHESIS OF SILICA-GEL DISC AS APPLIED TO SUPPORTS OF ORGANIC-MOLECULES WITH OPTICAL FUNCTIONS

In order to synthesize transparent, crack-free silica-gel bodies used as supports for organic substances with optical functions such as fluorescent, lasing, photochromic, photochemical hole burning and non-linear optical functions via the sol-gel route, the effects of the composition of the starting solution on the transparency of the gel, the occurrence of cracks and the bulk density of the gel have been investigated for Si (OCH3)4-H2O-CH3OH-HCl and Si (OCH3)4-H2O-CH3OH-HNO3 solutions. It was found that the addition of specific amounts of water and acid gave transparent, crack-free silica gel bodies, which could be used as supports for optically functional organic substances. It was also found that organic substances such as quinizarin and rhodamine B incorporated into these gels were uniformly dispersed at the molecular level.