Transparent hybrid conducting films were prepared by dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid-doped polyaniline (DBSA-PANI) and 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) through a sol–gel process. DBSA-PANI was synthesized via emulsion polymerization, and inorganic acid (nitric or sulfuric acid) was added to adjust the structure of the emulsion system and obtain the higher conductivity of polyaniline. When nitric acid was used in the emulsion system, structure of the hybrid films became more stable and sheet resistance of the hybrid films was lower. Visible light transmittance of the hybrid films was over 75%. Various properties of the hybrid material were analyzed by the infrared spectra (IR), UV–visible absorption spectra, thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and digital four-point probe meter.

Transparent PANI-SiO2 conducting films were prepared by hybrid of dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid-doped polyaniline (DBSA-PANI) and 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) through sol–gel route. The influence of content of DBSA-PANI on the structural, electrical and optical properties of the films was investigated. Sheet resistance of the hybrid films was 5.1 kΩ/□ and visible light transmittance was 75%, when the content of DBSA-PANI was 30 wt.%. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) showed that the obtained films were thermally stable under 120 °C and optical bandgap of the hybrid films was determined from Tauc plots.

Europium complex, Eu(BA)3Phen (BA = benzoic acid and Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), was encapsulated in meso-structured silica monoliths, which were using PEG (PEG = polyethylene glycol) as a low cost template and synthesized via sol–gel methods. The monoliths were silylated by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) before wet impregnation. Samples were characterized by BET, infrared spectroscopy, and fluorescence measurements. The results showed that the lanthanide complexes were dispersed in the channels of silylated meso-structured monoliths. Compared with the pure complex, the molar percentage luminescent intensity and the luminescence lifetime of the assembly increased, respectively.

Meso-structured silica monoliths using PEG (PEG=polyethylene glycol) as a low-cost template and synthesized via sol–gel methods were used as host materials for incorporation of europium complexes Eu(BA)3Phen (BA=benzoic acid and Phen=1,10-phenanthroline). The meso-structured silica was silylated by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) or 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) before wet impregnation. Samples were characterized by BET, diffuse reflectance (DR) spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and fluorescence measurements. The results showed that the emission quantum efficiency of GPTMS silylated meso-structured silica with larger pore size was up to 44.6%. Also, the lifetime measurement showed the complex encapsulated in this rigid matrix had longer lifetime than the pure complex in solid or liquid.

Glasses in the ternary system ZnO–Sb2O3–P2O5 were investigated as potential alternatives to lead based glasses for low temperature applications. The glass-forming region of ZnO–Sb2O3–P2O5 system has been determined. Structure and properties of the glasses with the composition (60 − x)ZnO–xSb2O3–40P2O5 were characterized by infrared spectra (IR), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results of IR indicated the role of Sb3+ as participant in glass network structure, which was supported by the monotonic and remarkable increase of density (ρ) and molar volume (VM) with increasing Sb2O3 content. Glass transition temperature (Tg) and thermal stability decreased, and coefficient of thermal expansion (α) increased with the substitution of Sb2O3 for ZnO in the range of 0–50 mol%. XRD pattern of the heat treated glass containing 30 mol% Sb2O3 indicated that the structure of antimony–phosphate becomes dominant. The improved water durability of these glasses is consistent with the replacement of easily hydrated phosphate chains by corrosion resistant P–O–Sb bonds. The glasses containing ⩾30 mol% Sb2O3 possess lower Tg (<400 °C) and better water durability, which could be alternatives to lead based glasses for practical applications with further composition improvement.

The inorganic–organic hybrids of polyethyleneglycol (PEG), tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and triethylphosphate (TEP) doped by silver ions were prepared by sol–gel method. After molding and heating at 600 °C to remove organic components, porous Ag–P2O5–SiO2 monoliths were obtained. Thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), infrared spectra, ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectra and pore structure of the samples were measured to show that organic components and residual water could be removed by a heat-treatment up to 600 °C and the mesopores with 6 nm pore diameter were formed. Specific surface area and pore volume of the samples were adjusted with different contents of TEP in the starting composition. Ag+ ions could be stably released into water at 30 °C up to 28 days. Antibacterial experiment showed that such materials treated at 600 °C could restrain Escherichia coli effectively.

PDMS–TiO2–SiO2 hybrid coatings have been prepared on glass substrates via sol–gel method. The structural evolution of the coatings containing different PDMS amounts was examined by TG–DTA and FTIR. It was found that the hybrid character of coatings can be reserved after heating at 200 °C. The alkali resistance of hybrid coatings in 1 N NaOH solution at 50 °C was investigated by X-ray fluorescence analysis, weight loss and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the coating could resist effectively the alkali attack for 24 h. Such alkali resistance depended on the added amount of PDMS and the coating with 20 wt.% PDMS showed a better alkali resistance.