Metal oxide-polymer composites

A method of making a ceramer comprising first forming a metal oxide cluster in a single stage comprising reacting a metal alkoxide with a substoichiometric amount of an acid in the presence of an oxide particle growth terminator and solubilizer and in the absence of water at a temperature and for a time sufficient to form a metal oxide cluster gel, forming said gel into a powder, and reacting said powder with a functionalized polymer in an alcohol that is a solvent for both, said acid being selected from acids whose esters resulting from the reaction with said metal oxide have a vapor pressure such that they will evaporate at a temperature below about 200.degree. C.