Poly(trimethoxy silylpropylaniline), a nanoporous (pore diameter of 2.4 nm), electroactive (stable reversible redox characteristics), electrochromic (yellow at −0.10 V, blue green at +0.50 V, and dark green at +0.70 V), and pH‐sensitive, silica–polyaniline (PANI) hybrid material (designated as KGM‐1) has been synthesized in powder form by a simple one‐pot chemical synthesis as well as a “thin nanolayered film” by cyclic voltammetry. High‐resolution transmission image of KGM‐1 informs that the particles are spherical, with diameters in the range of 0.5–1.5 μm. X‐ray diffraction pattern of pristine KGM‐1 confirms the combined presence of ordered silica network and PANI chains. The surface area of calcined KGM‐1 is 40 m2/g (∼15 times higher than KGM‐1), and the average pore size is 2.4 nm. The N2 adsorption features also inform that PANI is present as a uniform layer within the pores of silica and because of that the silica pores are not completely blocked. The reversible redox transitions in PANI units and nanoporosity of KGM‐1 are effectively used for the electro‐driven loading/release of DNA or adenosine 5′‐triphosphate. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010