Synthesis of polymeric organic‐inorganic hybrid materials. Partially deacetylated chitin‐silica hybrid

Abstract This work reports the synthesis of a novel polymeric organic‐inorganic hybrid. The inorganic component is a silica network obtained by controlled hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate via sol‐gel process and the organic counterpart is partially deacetylated chitin (CHI). The resulting polymer hybrids were homogeneous transparent film forming glassy materials being compatible through a wide composition range. Simultaneous thermal analysis of a CHI/silica 1:1 mixture confirms the intermolecular complex formation between organic and inorganic polymers.