Formation of silica–surfactant mesophases studied by real-time in situ X-ray powder diffraction

Abstract

Real-time in situ energy dispersive synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data provides evidence for the formation of an intermediate lamellar silica–surfactant intercalate during the synthesis of the hexagonal mesophase derived from the layered polysilicate kanemite, whereas no intermediate phases are observed during the formation of the silica–surfactant mesophase that leads to the mesoporous material MCM-41.