4-Vinylpyridine-2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate copolymers have been synthesized by radical copolymerization. The composition and properties of the copolymers have been studied; the reactivity constants of the comonomers have been calculated. Sol-gel synthesis involving the resulting copolymers and tetraethoxysilane has yielded hybrid membranes comprising a polymer matrix with uniformly distributed hydrated silica particles and exhibiting a proton conductivity of up to 1.85 x 10(-2) S/cm, an ion-exchange capacity of 2.1 meq/g, a heat resistance of 412A degrees D, a tensile strength of 55.5 MPa, an elongation at break of 15%, and a proton-conductivity activation energy of 12 +/- 2 kJ/mol.