Linear and star-like waterborne UV/moisture curable monomers with surface activity were synthesized by introducing different amounts of trimethoxysilane and methacrylate units into the monomer chains. The surface morphology, transparency and thermal properties of the cured hybrid polymer were found to be determined by the monomer structure, solvent, the amount and arrangement of trimethoxysilane groups. The polymer-silica hybrid materials crosslinked with both UV curing and sol-gel reaction exhibited good thermal properties at elevated temperature. Due to the surface activity of monomers in aqueous medium, aggregates on the film made by water diluted monomers are larger than those prepared by solvent diluted monomers. Larger aggregates lead to lower transparency. Hybrid films made by star-like monomer had smaller silica aggregates than those prepared by the linear monomers. Star-like monomer exhibited excellent compatibility with water-based pigment dispersion and good ink-jet printing properties. It can be used to improve the properties of the ink-jet printed micropatterns. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.