The sol-gel reaction of a polycarbonate (PC) oligomer having triethoxysilyl groups at both ends of the PC chain (PCS) with a tetraethoxysilane or tetramethoxysilane oligomer provided transparent or semitransparent films of higher silica containing organic-in organic hybrid materials (HSPC-HMs). The films were superior to those from PC and from PCS in terms of the morphological homogeneity, heat resistance, and Surface hardness. The HSPC-HM films had minimum Oxygen permeability at a PCS/tetraethoxysilane ratio of 3/7. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.