The alkoxide sol-gel process is widely used to form powders, coatings, thin films and fibres. In a silicon alkoxide sol, the reaction conditions can be changed to favour the formation of long chains or three dimensional network structures by adjusting the pH. In the present work the possibility of using the molecules forming during the hydrolysis and condensation reactions in an alkoxide silica sol for the assembly of ZrO₂ particles was investigated. The ZrO₂ particles were suspended in the sol the pH of which was adjusted to ~ 3 to favour the formation of chain like structures. Under suitable conditions it was possible to assemble the ZrO₂ particles in long chains several microns long. It is proposed that the oligomers forming by the hydrolyisis and condensation reactions in the sol act as links between the particles to produce linear assemblies of particles.

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