Advances in eco-efficient and accelerated sol–gel routes for hybrid nanostructures
摘要
The sol–gel method is a powerful route for producing ceramics, glasses, and hybrid nanostructures; however, conventional sol–gel processing remains limited by long reaction times, high-temperature treatments, and the use of toxic organic solvents. This review evaluates the hypothesis that combining eco-efficient strategies with accelerated sol–gel routes can significantly improve sustainability and synthesis efficiency while maintaining or enhancing material performance. Reported studies show that eco-efficient formulations can reduce solvent-related hazards and VOC emissions, in some cases approaching reductions of 70–90% depending on the solvent system and precursor chemistry. Processing times have also been shortened substantially, with several reports documenting the reduction of gelation or drying steps from hours to minutes under optimized microwave or ultrasound activation. These quantitative trends are summarized in the revised Table