Chemistry International
Vol. 22, No. 5
September 2000
New
Project
Glossary of Terms Relating to Polymeric Gels and Networks, Hybrid
Inorganic Polymeric Materials, and the Processing Thereof
This is a joint project of the Inorganic (II) and Macromolecular (IV)
Divisions within the remit of the Materials Initiative. The project
team includes scientists from academia, industry, and publishing. IUPAC
has approved the project with the intention of establishing precise
base definitions of terms that will carry meaning for all academic and
industrial chemists involved with this rapidly expanding technology.
The materials embraced by the project range from inorganic porous gels
and denser materials through organic/inorganic molecular hybrids and
composites to certain types of organic network polymers.
The processing of the materials can be from the liquid state using
sol-gel methodologies or swelling/drying techniques, or from the solid
state using the methods of blending and mixing. The different terms
relating to both materials and the methods of processing that are in
current use can be confusing to practitioners according to whether their
background is rooted in polymer, inorganic, or applied chemistry. General
terms concerned with classes of starting materials, intermediates and
final product materials, their microstructures, the characteristic properties
that relate to their processing, etc., will all be included.
The preparation of definitions is being coordinated by Profs. Richard
Jones and Alan Chadwick, Titular Members of IUPACs Commissions
on Macromolecular Nomenclature (IV.I) and High-Temperature Materials
and Solid State Chemistry (II.3), respectively, with participation from
other members of both Commissions. Comments from the chemistry and polymer
community are welcome and should be addressed to the project coordinator,
Prof. Prof. Richard Jones, School of Physical Sciences, University of
Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NR, England, United Kingdom; Tel.: +44 1227
823544; Fax: +44 1227 827558; E-mail: [email protected].
See http://www.iupac.org/divisions/current_
projects/2000/000071_400_00.html for project description and update.