Abstract
Sol–gel coatings, thanks to the structural control at a molecular level, have a wide range of applications. These materials are environmentally friendly and can be an effective alternative to harmful methods of obtaining protection materials. In comparison to organic polymer coatings, inorganic sol–gel coatings have some advantages such as high mechanical, chemical, and thermal stability, biological inertness, high transparency and photostability, controllable porosity, and release of embedded agents. Sol–gel coatings provide a simple and cost-efficient approach to functionalize different surfaces to improve their bioactivity, corrosion and wear resistance, mechanical properties, reliability, and performance. An overview of these modifications is presented in this chapter.
Justyna Krzak
Project Leader
Anna Szczurek
Researcher, materials engineering, PhD
Anna Szczurek is a Doctor in the discipline of mechanical engineering, however, her scientific experience is largely based on materials science and chemistry and her research is at the interface between these disciplines. Her researcher interests concern the relationship between the structure and properties of thin sol-gel coatings, with the main emphasis on barrier coatings against gas permeability, including hydrogen.
Beata Borak
assistant professor
Beata Borak is a researcher and teacher at the Department of Mechanics, Materials and Biomedical Engineering at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Wrocław University of Science and Technology