The purpose of this study was to improve the knowledge in the field of composite materials based on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and silica (SiO₂). For this purpose, two types of silica were taken into account: i) silica was synthesised in situu by sol-gel technique and ii) commercial silica was used. In both cases the polymer matrix was obtained by radical polymerisation.

The composite materials were then characterized from the phases point of view by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and from the morphology and compatibility between phases point of view by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).  

The results showed that in situu formation of the silica network is preferred over commercial silica addition because it allows a better compatibility between the organic and inorganic compounds.