sol-gel process

Process through which a network is formed from solution by a progressive change of liquid precursor(s) into a sol, to a gel, and in most cases finally to a dry network.
Note:
An inorganic polymer, e.g., silica gel, or an organic–inorganic hybrid can be prepared by sol-gel processing.
Source:
PAC, 2007, 79, 1801 (Definitions of terms relating to the structure and processing of sols, gels, networks, and inorganic-organic hybrid materials (IUPAC Recommendations 2007)) on page 1825