Abstract
Recently gel combustion synthesis was widely used to synthesize various forms of simple or complex metal oxides, having a wide range of applications. The chapter, after introductory remarks, begins with the ways of preparation of gelled oxide precursors, their physicochemical characteristics and their ability to burn in terms of chemical composition. Then follows a survey of the synthesis of various ceramics materials (electronic superconductors, ionic conductors, dielectrics, ferroelectrics), catalysts (non-supported and supported) electrode materials for chemical power sources (anode and cathode materials for ion-lithium cells), in a powdery form. Finally, the methods to transform the powdery gel combustion products to other valuable materials, for example to bulk oxide materials, or to films and powders of metals and alloys, will be described.
