GROWTH OF SILICA POLYMERS IN A LAMELLAR MESOPHASE

Silicic acid monomers have been polymerized within the lamellar phase of the system didodecyldimethylammonium bromide/water. The locations of the polymers and their effect on the structure of the layers have been examined through neutron diffraction and electron microscopy. It has been found that the polymers condense on the polar head groups of the surfactant and cause a substantial disorganization of the bilayers. The evolution of the structures during polymerization is determined by the texture of the mesophase. When the texture is made of liposomes, most of the silica remains coherent with the bilayers. When the texture is made of flat layers, the segregation is fast and complete.