| abstract |
Sol-gel method for producing a photochromic composite material, in which a precursor and a photochromic complex are provided, a sol-gel method is carried out with successive steps of hydrolysis, condensation and drying, in which: - an alkoxysilane is selected as precursor, and a complex of ruthenium with a nitrosyl ligand is selected as photochromic complex, and, in combination, - the sol-gel method is carried out using the selected precursor and photochromic complex, with successive steps of hydrolysis, of placing in a container of chosen shape, of condensation, of maturation and of ageing, the latter step including a final drying, and, - for the maturation and ageing steps, the pH, the temperature and the duration are selected such that, in the xerogel prepared, the shape of which is determined by that of the container, the photochromic complex of ruthenium with a nitrosyl ligand, in the crystalline state and in the form of nanoparticles, is inserted into the nanopores of the silica matrix which are distributed at least substantially homogeneously. Applicable to the preparation of a high-capacity optical memory medium. |