Synthesis and characterization of inorganic, lamellar nanofillers with high aspect ratio

Mesostructured silica phases with lamellar structure were prepared by the liquid crystal templating (LCT) technique, from double chain alkylammonium surfactant and sodium silicate or tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) silica precursors. The structural characterization of these phases is presented and compared. Surface modification of the silica layers, together with elimination of the organic template, is considered. Finally, a representative model of the microstructural organization is proposed. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.