Organic photoreceptors for use in electrophotographic processes may be overcoated to impart wear and scratch resistance, to protect the surface from corona generated chemicals, and to improve the efficiency of electrophotographic process steps, such as toner transfer and cleaning. In this article, we will discuss the use of silsesquioxanes prepared by the sol-gel process as photoreceptor overcoats. Included in our discussion will be the chemistry and procedures involved in overcoat fabrication, the methods used to determine the effects of the overcoat on the physical and electrophotographic characteristics of the photoreceptor, and the effects of the silsesquioxane chemical structure on these characteristics.