The nanotechnology is considered to have great potential for the development of new innovative materials with an environmental advantage, the so-called 'eco-innovation' materials. However, it is necessary to have in-depth understanding in this area, in order to facilitate and not at least to accelerate implementation of nanocoatings or nanomaterials in different end products.

The nanotechnology is still in the early development stage, where great potentials are discovered, but at the same time is difficult to get support from other scientists and materials developers and heading forward to actual product innovation projects. Nanostructured materials are expected to create radical changes in diverse fields. From electronics, by providing materials for the next generation of computer chips; to energy technologies, where novel materials may have a critical impact on new types of solar cells, rechargeable batteries and energy storage systems. Potential applications for micro and nanostructured materials include pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, medical diagnostics, catalysts and supports, membranes and filters, batteries and fuel cells, hydrogen storage systems, electronic, magnetic and optical devices, flat panel displays, biomaterials, drug delivery systems, structural materials and protective coatings.

To meet the requirements, the sol-gel process represents a flexible chemical route to synthesize various high performance nanostructured ceramic materials with controlled internal morphology and chemistry. Materials with designed internal nanostructure (entirely interconnected open nanoporosity, hierarchical, fractal or nanocrystalline solid network), and various possible chemical compositions (from organic to inorganic) can be processed and designed through a large range of shapes (finely divided nanopowders, nanoparticles, thin and thick films, fibers, granular beds and monolithic materials). The sol-gel process is a solution-based technique, where the material structure is created through chemical reactions in the liquid state, giving the high flexibility of the process for easy application.