Auto-organization in sol-gel type polycondensation: A door to the nanosciences

Silica-based hybrid organic-inorganic materials prepared by sol-gel chemistry exhibit chemical and physical properties revealing their anisotropic organization. Besides the opportunities that these phenomena open for the preparation of new materials, they also provide arguments for the chemist looking for better comprehension and control of the solid's organization. (C) 2003 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.