ABSTRACTSilica-PEO hybrid materials which have both silica network and polymer network are synthesized from hydrolysis, condensation and polymerization of γ -glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane(GPTS). Polymerization of the epoxy groups to poly(ethylene oxide) units is achieved by using mixed triarylsulfonium hexafluorophosphate salt as a UV curing agent. The structural change of the hybrid solution is investigated by using NMR spectroscopy. The microstructure of silica hybrid film can be changed according to the degree of polymerization controlled by the UV curing conditions. The epoxide polymerization is confirmed by using FT-IR. The hybrid material is densified due to the epoxide polymerization as well as silica condensation with UV curing. The optical properties such as optcial absorbance and refractive index of the silica hybrid thin films are measured as functions of curing conditions. These optical properties are then correlated to the epoxide polymerization.
