Network morphology of oxides & glasses formed by chemical polymerization is subject to considerable structural manipulations. The structural variations are introduced by the chemical reactions of metal organic compounds that construct & shape the underlying oxide networks in these sol-gel systems. Also, significant nonstoichiometry may be introduced during the thermal removal of structural hydroxyl & organic groups that frame the oxide networks. Resultant non-equilibrium states persist at very high temperatures & affect thermoplastic & photonic properties of these materials. In this article, the genesis & nature of structural variations in the chemically polymerized glass networks & exploratory experiments showing their effect on the thermoplastic and photonic properties are presented.
