Abstract: Free standing, optically clear, poly(acrylate) or poly(methacrylate) film having dispersed therein silica which is produced in situ from an alkoxysilane, using acid catalysis and a substantially stoichiometric amount of water for hydrolysis. The film forming process comprises a drying and curing step conducted in an open system. The temperatures and pH employed determine the nature and morphology of the dispersed silica phase. The film-forming process is conducted in the substantial absence of a polymerizable substance other than the alkoxysilane.

Abstract: Silicic acid heteropolycondensates containing a luminescent compound, whose luminescence is quenchable by oxygen, form suitable sensors for measuring oxygen content in an oxygen-containing gaseous, liquid, or solid sample.

Abstract: Epoxy resins which have silicon-containing functional groups along the polymer backbone are prepared by reacting a polyether having non-terminal hydroxy groups with a modifying agent which (i) reacts with hydroxy groups and (ii) which also contains trialkoxysilane groups. The modified resins can be reacted with a silicon oxide precursor to form an organic/inorganic composite. The composites are shown to have improved properties at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: The invention provides a blend of metal oxide, such as silicon oxide, with etheric phosphazene. The invention optionally contains salt for antistatic coatings. The composition of the invention is formed by preparing solutions of etheric phosphazene and alkoxysilane, such as tetraethoxysilane. The solutions are then coated onto suitable substrates, or cast films and cured at room temperature or with moderate heating. The coatings and films produced are transparent, tough, hard, and flexible. They are multicomponent blends of the silicon oxide and phosphazene. It is also within the invention to form the blends with other metal oxides, rather than silicon, such as titanium, aluminum, or zirconium. The composite may be doped with low lattice energy salts to form antistatic composites.

Abstract: Dye-containing polymers wherein the dyes are organic in nature are incorporated into glasses produced by a sol-gel technique. The glasses may be inorganic or organic-modified metal oxide heteropolycondensates. The dye-containing polymers are covalently bonded to the glass through a linking group. The products of this invention can be used to make optically clear colored films which can be employed in the imaging, optical, solar heat energy and related arts.