Abstract: Tractable metal oxide sols are made by combining at least one metal oxide compound, at least one organofunctional silane, at least one boron oxide compound, and a liquid, or metal oxide sols are made by combining at least one metal oxide compound, at least one organofunctional silane, at least one of an acid catalyst and salt/complex catalyst, and a liquid. Also disclosed are nanocomposites containing the metal oxide sols and at least one of metal nanoparticle, metal-chalcogenide nanoparticle, metal oxide nanoparticle, and metal phosphate nanoparticle. Further disclosed are composites containing a polymer material and at least one of the metal oxide sol and the nanocomposite.

Abstract: Disclosed are metal phosphate sols made by mixing at least one metal oxide, at least one phosphate precursor, at least one organosilane, and a liquid. Also disclosed are nanocomposites containing the metal phosphate sols and at least one of metal nanoparticle and metal-chalcogenide nanoparticle. The nanocomposites containing metal nanoparticles may be chalcogenized to provide nanocomposites containing metal-chalcogenide nanoparticles. Also disclosed are composites containing a dielectric material such as a polymer and at least one of the metal phosphate sol and the nanocomposite.

Abstract: Disclosed are metal chalcogenide nanocomposites made of guest metal chalcogenide precursors and host metal oxide sols made by mixing at least one metal alkoxide, at least one organosilane, at least one boron oxide compound, and a liquid, and chalcogenizing the mixture. Also disclosed are dielectric nano-composites containing a dielectric material such as a polymer and the metal chalcogenide nanocomposites.

Abstract: Disclosed are silica sols made by combining at least one hydrolysable silane, at least one organofunctional silane, at least one boron oxide compound, and a liquid, or silica sols made by combining at least one hydrolysable silane, at least one organofunctional silane, at least one acid catalyst, and a liquid to provide an intermediate sol and combining at least one base catalyst with the intermediate sol. Also disclosed are nanocomposites containing the silica sols and at least one of metal nanoparticle, metal-chalcogenide nanoparticle, metal oxide nanoparticle, and metal phosphate nanoparticle. Further disclosed are composites containing a polymer material and at least one of the silica sol and the nanocomposite.

Abstract: Disclosed are silica sols made by combining at least one hydrolysable silane, at least one organofunctional silane, at least one boron oxide compound, and a liquid, or silica sols made by combining at least one hydrolysable silane, at least one organofunctional silane, at least one acid catalyst, and a liquid to provide an intermediate sol and combining at least one base catalyst with the intermediate sol. Also disclosed are nanocomposites containing the silica sols and at least one of metal nanoparticle, metal-chalcogenide nanoparticle, metal oxide nanoparticle, and metal phosphate nanoparticle. Further disclosed are composites containing a polymer material and at least one of the silica sol and the nanocomposite.

Abstract: Disclosed are metal oxide sols made by mixing at least one metal alkoxide, wherein the metal is a transition metal, a post-transition metal, an alkali metal, or alkaline earth metal; at least one organosilane; at least one boron oxide compound selected from the group consisting of boric acid, alkoxy boron compounds, hydrocarbyl boric acids, hydrocarbyl hydroxy boron alkoxides, and hydroxy boron alkoxides; and a liquid. Also disclosed are composites containing a polymer and the metal oxide sols.

Abstract: Disclosed are metal oxide sols made by mixing at least one metal alkoxide, wherein the metal is a transition metal, a post-transition metal, an alkali metal, or alkaline earth metal; at least one organosilane; at least one boron oxide compound selected from the group consisting of boric acid, alkoxy boron compounds, hydrocarbyl boric acids, hydrocarbyl hydroxy boron alkoxides, and hydroxy boron alkoxides; and a liquid. Also disclosed are composites containing a polymer and the metal oxide sols.

Abstract: Disclosed are nanocomposites made of guest metal nanoparticles and metal oxide sols made by mixing at least one metal alkoxide, at least one organosilane, at least one boron oxide compound, and a liquid. Also disclosed are dielectric composites containing a dielectric material such as a polymer and the nanocomposites.