Optical spectroscopy methods for the characterization of sol–gel materials

• Published in: Journal of sol-gel science and technology Vol. 100; no. 1; pp. 1 - 43
• Main Authors: Marques, Ana C., Rojas-Hernandez, Rocío Estefanía, Almeida, Rui M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.10.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Ceramics; Chemistry and Materials Science; Composites; Glass; Infrared spectroscopy; Inorganic Chemistry; Instruments; Invited Review: Characterization methods of sol-gel and hybrid materials; Materials Science; Nanotechnology; Natural Materials; Optical and Electronic Materials; Photoluminescence; Sol-gel processes; Spectroellipsometry; Spectrum analysis
• ISSN: 0928-0707; 1573-4846
• DOI: 10.1007/s10971-021-05592-0

This paper reviews the main techniques of optical spectroscopy used for the characterization of sol-gel materials in different forms, including a brief description of instrumentation, followed by a series of selected examples from the literature that illustrate the main methodologies and results which can be obtained and including the main advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches adopted. The review includes separate sections on UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy, spectroscopic ellipsometry, M-line spectroscopy, infrared and Raman spectroscopies, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Highlights This paper reviews the main techniques of optical spectroscopy for the characterization of sol–gel materials. UV/Vis/NIR, M-line, Infrared, Raman and Photoluminescence Spectroscopy are highlighted, as well as Spectroscopic Ellipsometry. Instrumentation, advantages and disadvantages, and selected examples are described.