Structural Defect Formation in Inorganic Sol-Gel Derived Oxides

The advantages and uniqueness of the Inorganic modification of the Sol-Gel method have already been described. Homogeneous nano-composites as well as some exotic glasses, complex-metal-oxides systems with little glass-forming ability, can be produced by this method. Thus, the obtained materials are characterized by a complex structure that leads to the wide variety of physical and chemical properties. Zirconia-containing materials are of utmost interest because of the mechanical toughness and chemical resistance provided by the presence of ZrO2. In the present work, we report on unusual structural peculiarities of the Zr-O, two types of Zr-Ge-O systems (with Zr>Ge and Zr