Glass composite materials containing alkoxosilane derivative having alterable charge, hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups

The present invention relates generally to composite materials that react to stimuli from the environment in which they are placed. Such materials are generally referred to as "smart" materials. More particularly, then, the present invention relates to environmentally sensitive "smart" glass composite materials. A porous glass composite material is prepared comprising a gel containing water and a polymeric network containing at least one alkoxosilane derivative having a group of alterable charge, a hydrophobic group and a hydrophilic group. The alkoxosilane derivative is preferably a derivative of an alkoxosilane having the general formula (OR)Si-spacer-Si(OR), wherein Rand Rare the same or different and may be hydrogen; substituted and unsubstituted, branched and unbranched C-alkyls; substituted and unsubstituted, branched and unbranched C-alkenyls; substituted and unsubstituted, branched and unbranched C-alkynyls; substituted, unsubstituted, and multiple ring aryl groups; or combinations thereof; and water. Devices including the glass composite include chromatographic and other separation media, drug delivery vehicles, and electric and mechanical actuators.