Materials syntheses are generally more complex than syntheses of inorganic or organic compounds, and specific characterization methods play a more important role. Materials synthesis protocols often suffer from unclarities, irreproducibility, lack in detail and lack in standards. The need to change this situation is the main motivation for this book. A number of detailed protocols has been collected, ranging from organic polymers to carbonaceous and ceramic materials, from gels to porous and layered materials and from powders and nanoparticles to films. Preparation methods include intercalation and flux methods, sol-gel processing, templating methods for porous materials, sonochemistry or spray pyrolysis.

Each contribution provides detailed and unambiguous description of the hardware, specific characteristics of the procedure, scope of applicability as well as methods that unequivocally identify and characterize the material and allow checking whether the synthesis was successful.

Materials syntheses are more complex than syntheses of inorganic or organic compounds. Materials synthesis protocols often suffer from unclarities, irreproducibility, lack in detail and lack in standards. The need to change this situation is the main motivation for this book. It collects a number of detailed protocols, ranging from organic polymers to carbonaceous and ceramic materials, from gels to porous and layered materials and from powders and nanoparticles to films.

This second edition of a very well received advanced textbook retains the chemist's viewpoint in its comprehensive overview of methods for chemical synthesis of inorganic materials.

The second chapter now includes a section on biomorphic ceramics, while one on LEDs has been added to Chapter 3. Chapter 4 now includes a more thorough explanation of borate glasses, with certain sections being completely rearranged. In addition, Chapter 6 has been extensively revised, and a whole new sub-chapter added on coordination polymers.

The general principles and requirements are discussed for each method given, along with selected examples of technically applied materials, as well as the material properties and applications of the resulting products. Furthermore, numerous tables with further examples help in assessing the scope and limitation of the various methods and in choosing a suitable synthesis for any given problem.

Intended for both courses in inorganic chemistry and materials science, this volume is equally valuable for all researchers working on the borderline of these two disciplines.