Optical and electro-optical materials prepared by the Sol-Gel method

Although there are excellent contributions in the scientific literature covering most aspects of sol-gel hybrid materials for optics and electro-optics, this short review shall concentrate on the research activities of the Sol-Gel Group (SGG) at Madrid in this field, describing recent progress and interdisciplinary approaches to materials with novel properties. The preparation and characterization of hybrid materials for optics and electro-optics via sol-gel methods is dicussed: hybrid coatings for smart-window applications, photoactive coatings, radiation-protection coatings, coatings for optical lenses and photochromic materials. The optical and electro-optical properties of the resulting materials are evaluated as potential components in photonic devices. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag.Peer Reviewe