Studies on synthesis of silica and silica based ceramics as matrices for advanced composites

Sol-Gel processing of hybrid non-crystalline materials is of current interest because of potential applications of these systems, such as scratch resistant coatings, microporous materials, nanomaterials, matrices for composites and for optical applications. Difunctional or trifunctional compounds are the potential compounds to introduce organic functional groups in silicon alkoxide based organometallics. These formulations, when sintered to 1000 degrees C result in disordered ceramic materials containing Si,C,O etc. In the present studies modification in tile silica sol network was tried by introducing Furfuryl alcohol and Butanediol. These modified networks after gelation and sintering resulted in two class of materials differing in bond characteristics. The modifications in SiO2 network was carried out in order to process these materials as matrices for advanced composites with better thermal stability and oxidation resistance.