Qual der Wahl: Synthesemethoden für anorganische Materialien, am Beispiel SiO2

The spectrum of properties and thus possible applications of inorganic solids not only depend on their chemical composition, but also on their structure on all length scales. Specific synthesis methods must be employed depending on the question whether crystalline or amorphous, dense or porous, nano- or macroscale morphologies result in the anticipated properties and whether powders, monoliths or thin films are to be prepared. To this end, different starting compounds are frequently necessary. The mutual relation between synthesis, properties and structure is demonstrated using the example of SiO₂.