Abstract

The search for new high performance materials has spurred the development of composites combining high modulus/high thermal stability inorganic glasses and low modulus/low thermal stability polymeric glasses. Research has resulted in a novel class of amorphous polymer–glass composites referred to as organic–inorganic hybrids or inorganic–organic hybrids, depending on the component with the highest volume fraction. These materials are synthesized in a variety of ways but ultimately exhibit near-molecular-level mixing of the matrix and the filler. Hence the term hybrid. Typically, this high degree of mixing results in transparent materials which exhibit significant increases in thermomechanical properties owing to extensive interaction between the polymeric and inorganic phases. However, the relatively high volume fraction of polymer included in these materials normally limits their service temperatures to well below 400°C. Many polymers and oligomers have been utilized in the synthesis of these hybrids, including poly(alkenes, acrylates, ethers, esters, amides, imides, and dienes). Some novel inorganic precursors have been used, such as clay. The use of metal alkoxides have been reported.

There are several areas of application for organic–inorganic hybrids: microelectronic usage, abrasion-resistant coatings, thermal–oxidative-resistant coatings, nonlinear optical devices, hydrogels, biosensors, and cross-linking agents.