Sol–Gel Derived Nanocomposites for Optical Applications

Abstract

This paper provides a selective description of the development of nanostructured materials and the fabrication of the devices for optical applications. Examples are interference coatings, refractive and diffractive lenses, and macro‐ and micro‐GRIN (graded refractive index) optical elements. Hybrid materials containing nanoparticles are of particular interest for the production of optical elements because, by exploiting the intrinsic solid state properties of the nanoparticles, nanocomposites can be tailored to exhibit the desired properties. A particular advantage of wet chemical processing lies in its great flexibility for depositing functional coatings.

High refractive index films of ZnS/PVP nanocomposite byin situthermolysis

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Advanced applications of HRI materials include micro-lens arrays for charge coupled device (CCD) image sensors, cover layer for optical storage disk, element coating material or encapsulates for light emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), antireflective films for display devices, etc. These applications require transparent polymeric material of 1.8 RI over the entire visible region and preferably greater than 1.9.…”

Nanoparticle surface polarity influence on the flow behavior of polymer matrix composites

“…Polymer matrix composites containing nanosized ceramics (nPMC) as passive or active fillers gain more and more importance due to an improved design and tailoring of physical properties for advanced applications e.g. for mechanical property reinforcement, optical devices, or polymer solar cells . In most of the cases the magnitude of the aspired physical property change correlates directly with the filler load in the polymer matrix.…”

“…Thus a huge solid load is desirable . Besides the established and often used nanosized clay, silica, or alumina, titanium dioxide (titania) is mainly used as active filler exploiting the photoluminescence behavior . Because of the large refractive index of TiO 2 (2.49–2.9 in the visible range depending on the crystal structure) nanosized titania particles have huge potential for refractive index tailoring of PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) .…”

“…Only an in situ synthesis via e.g. sol‐gel‐techniques in combination with an in situ surface modification using dispersants in a polymeric resin seems to be a promising way for the realization of highly transparent composites .…”

Influence of the nanoparticle surface polarity on the flow behavior of polymer matrix composites

“…Polymer matrix composites containing nanosized ceramics (nPMC) as passive or active fillers gain more and more importance due to an improved design and tailoring of physical properties for advanced applications e.g. for mechanical property reinforcement, optical devices, or polymer solar cells [1][2][3][4]. In most of the cases the magnitude of the aspired physical property change correlates directly with the filler load in the polymer matrix.…”