Formation of Left-handed Double Twisted Silica Nanoribbons

Left-handed double twisted silica nanoribbons were prepared through a sol-gel transcription approach in the mixtures of ethanol and water. The self-assemblies of a chiral low-molecular-weight amphiphile served as the templates. The samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope. These double twisted silica nanoribbons were several micrometers in length, 50 to 70 nm in wideness, about 15 nm in thickness. The silica nanoribbons can be prepared in a large scale.