Preparation and properties of organic–inorganic hybrid gel films based on polyvinylpolysilsesquioxane synthesized from trimethoxy(vinyl)silane

Polyvinylpolysilsesquioxane (PVPS) organic–inorganic hybrid gel films comprising polyethylene and siloxane backbone linkages were prepared through two routes: trimethoxy(vinyl)silane (VTS) was first subjected to radical polymerization of the vinyl groups, followed by acid‐catalyzed hydrolytic polycondensation of the trimethoxysilyl groups (route A) to afford PVPS; in the second route PVPS was prepared in reverse order (route B). PVPS gel films were transparent and homogeneous. We find that the mechanical and heat‐resisting properties correlate both to the degree of polymerization and the degree of cross‐linking.