Synthesis and application of inorganic/organic composite materials

A new type of inorganic‐organic composite has been developed using organic monomeric or polymerizable silanes (with appropriate organic groupings like double bonds or epoxides) as monomers or in situ prepared or separately added nano‐scale ceramic or metal particles. Due to the small size of the particulate phase, these composites are still highly transparent but show properties at least partially to be attributed to the inorganic phase. The introduction of special functions into these materials has been used for the fabrication of interesting functions like non‐linear optical properties, low surface free energy coatings, controlled release properties or special mechanical properties (scratch resistance).