Silica Sol-Gel Glasses with Embedded Organic Liquids

Silica powders and films with embedded organic liquids (OLs) that are storage stable can be prepared with high OL concentrations when modern sol-gel techniques are used. The preparation and thermal release behavior of silica sol-gel glasses with different embedded organic liquids are described and the results discussed with particular regard to potential applications. The encapsulation of OLs by the sol-gel technique offers many advantages for controlled-release systems in the food and cosmetics industries compared to the polymeric systems in use today.