The polysilane may contain units of general structure [R3 Si], [R2 Si], and [RSi] where each R is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl radicals containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms, phenyl radicals, vinyl radicals, and radicals of the formula Ay X'.sub.(3-y) Si(CH2)z -- where A is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, y is an integer equal to