Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
Hybrid materials presenting mechanical rubbery properties are prepared from silicon alkoxides modified by organic polymers [i.e. poly(propyleneoxide), poly(ethyleneoxide), poly(butadiene) of moderate molecular weight (MW ≈ 3000–4000)]. These materials were characterized by 29Si NMR. They can be swollen by deuterated probes which can be used with 2H NMR to follow the network structure. Under unidirectionnal mechanical strain, uniaxial anisotropy of the samples is obtained and the macroscopic ordering is evidenced by quadrupolar deuterium NMR of swelling probe.