A process according to the present invention comprises combining in a reaction mixture at least one metal alkyl compound of formula MRx with at least one silanol compound of formula; forming a film from the reaction mixture; and treating the film with heat and moisture; wherein an amount of the at least one silanol compound present ranges from about one quarter to about three quarters of an amount required to replace all alkyl groups of the at least one metal alkyl compounds with groups derived from the at least one silanol compound; M is, independently at each occurrence, Zn, Cd, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Hg, Pb, Bi or a combination thereof; x is, independently at each occurrence, an integer equal to 2 or 3; z is 0, 1 or 2; R is, independently at each occurrence, alkyl; and R1-R5 is independently H, alkyl, or hydroxyl.