Synthesis and characterization of organic-inorganic interpenetrating polymer networks

A review of various types of organic-inorganic hybrid materials will be presented with an emphasis on systems where the inorganic constituent is formed in-situ. In our laboratory, interpenetrating polymer network (IPN> chemistry has been used to produce materials with an SiO2 phase made through a sol-gel condensation reaction and an organic phase made from either poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate)(PHEA) or epoxy resin. A summary of other work using preformed polymers or networks in solution to form the hybrid material will also be presented.