Provided are example embodiments of the invention including a range of polymer structures suitable for incorporation in barrier compositions for use, for example, in immersion photolithography in combination with a suitable solvent or solvent system. These polymers exhibit a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 5,000 to 200,000 daltons and may be generally represented by formula I: wherein the expressions (1+m+n)=1; 0.1≦(1/(1+m+n))≦0.7; 0.3≦(m/(1+m+n))≦0.9; and 0.0≦(n/(1+m+n))≦0.6 are satisfied; R1, R2 and R3 are C1 to C5 alkyl, C1 to C5 alkoxy and hydroxyl groups; and Z represents an alkene that includes at least one hydrophilic group. Barrier coating compositions will include an organic solvent or solvent system selected from C3 to C10 alcohol-based organic solvents, C4 to C12 alkane-based organic solvents and mixtures thereof.