Synthesis of inorganic gels in a lyotropic liquid crystal medium. I. Synthesis of silica gels in lamellar phases obtained from non-ionic surfactants

Some lamellar phases made with aqueous lyotropic liquid crystals were used as templates for the gelation of a silica inorganic network from tetramethylorthosilicate (TMOS). The aim was to synthesize materials with an anisotropic texture. Lamellar phases were obtained by using non-ionic surfactants. At first, structural, textural and rheological properties of the lamellar phases were studied. Then, the evolution of the system after introduction of the alkoxide, i.e., during the sol-gel transition, was followed by low angle X-ray diffraction and rheological measurements. Finally, a textural study of dried gels was carried out. The formation of gels with a lamellar structure was analysed by compressing the total phase diagram (quaternary system) to a ternary system. The hydrolysis and condensation reactions of the TMOS are strongly influenced by the presence of the structured lamellar phase. Gelation seems to happen around the liquid crystal microdomains. A schematic model of gelation is proposed based on experimental observations.