Mechanism of the formation of porous silicate mesophases

The formation of mesoporous mesophase systems prepared by precipitation of soluble forms of SiO2 at the surface of micelles of cetyltrimethylammonium cations was examined. A molecular mechanism of the formation of a silicate coating and a macroscopic mechanism of the formation of a mesophase were found and discussed. A combination of these mechanisms describes the processes proceeding during the synthesis. It can also explain the observed changes in the structure and texture characteristics of the mesophase.