Organic - inorganic composite particles and production process thereof

摘要

An organic-inorganic composite particle, which comprises a particle body having an elastic modulus of 350-3000 kg/mm<2> in 10% compression, a residual displacement of 0-5% after 10% deformation, a mean particle diameter of 0.5-50 mu m and a coefficient of variation of 20% or less in particle diameter, said particle body including: an organic group; and a polysiloxane framework which has in its molecule an organosilicon containing a silicon atom directly and chemically combined with at least one carbon atom of said organic group. The particles have the mechanical resilience necessary to maintain a constant gap distance between a pair of members to be arranged with the correct gap distance between them, and the hardness and fracture strength necessary to maintain the gap constant with smaller numbers; and also do not readily cause physical damage to the members. The composite particles can be employed as spacers for a liquid crystal display as they stand or with an adhesive layer formed on the surface. The composite particles can also have a conductive layer formed on the surface, and be employed as conductive particles.