Ion exchange process: History, evolution and applications

The aim of this paper is to present a review on some aspects and applications of ion exchange process in glasses, ferroelectric and polymers in the fields of optics, nanotechnology, gas sensors and chemical strengthening. The formation of nanoparticles in ion-exchanged glasses, as effect of ion or laser irradiation, is discussed. A discussion on the potentialities of ion exchange process in comparison to ion implantation in optical devices and nanotechnology is also introduced. Analytical techniques applied to the study of the ion exchange process are illustrated. The studies of ion exchange process in "Natural materials" constitute the content of a specific paragraph, for applications in water cleaning. Some initial considerations on the "old age" of this technique are introduced. © Società Italiana di Fisica.