Abstract:

The sol-gel technique has emerged as a convenient and versatile method for the synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles using various precursors such as metal alkoxides, metallo-organic salts, and inorganic salts in suitable solvents. Compared with conventional nanoparticle synthesis methods, the sol-gel process is economical, flexible, less complex, and can be carried out at relatively low temperatures. This technique offers excellent control over particle size, purity, homogeneity, and morphology. Sol-gel-derived materials have wide-ranging applications in medicine, biology, catalysis, electronics, cosmetics, antimicrobial therapy, drug delivery, and environmental sciences. This review summarizes the principles of the sol-gel process, sequential synthesis steps, preparation of selected metal oxide nanoparticles, and their important biomedical and industrial applications.