Inorganic polymerization in a non-ionic lyotropic lamellar phase

Silicon tetramethoxide was polymerized within a nonionic lyotropic lamellar phase. After gelation, the birefringence of the sample is preserved and polarized light optical microscope observations reveal no segregation. High Resolution Small Angle X-ray Scattering patterns of the gel shows Bragg peaks characteristic of a layered structure. Freeze fracture experiments on the lamellar gel show stacks of parallel bilayers. The experimental observations indicate that the silica is located in the lamellar structure.