The formulation of organic-inorganic polymer composites can be used to enhance selected properties, such as susceptibility to microbial attack, thermal stability, mechanical strength and water sorption capability. Accordingly, a series of alginic acid-silica hydrogel films was prepared for testing as protective coating materials for PTFE osmotic distillation membranes. Unprotected hydrophobic membranes are subject to wet-out when contacted by surface-active agents, such as oils and detergents. Films containing 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt.% silica, with and without the addition of glycerol for plasticisation, moisturisation and silica dispersion, were characterised using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, mechanical strength measurements, and water-swelling measurements. Composites prepared with glycerol addition had better thermal stability, mechanical strength and water sorption capability than those prepared without glycerol addition. Uncoated membranes and membranes coated with composites prepared with glycerol addition were tested for OD performance and resistance to surface-active agents using pure water, orange oil (limonene)-water mixtures, and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate detergent solutions. Uncoated membranes showed immediate hydrophobicity loss in the presence of orange oil and detergent. For coated membranes, no wet-out occurred over the 15 h duration of three consecutive 5 h OD trials using orange oil-water mixtures. In the case of detergent solutions, the coating afforded protection to the membrane for 4-5 h. In a separate trial, no wet-out occurred when the coated side of the membrane was placed in contact with 1.2 wt.% orange oil for 72 h. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.