Influence of surfactant on the gelation of novel ethylene glycol esters ofsilicic acid

The sol-gel transition of a novel glycol ester of ortho silicic acid is inv estigated by small angle neutron scattering technique. We measured the chan ges of scattering intensify as a function of time during gelation and show the formation of a fractal structure. When we mix our ester with an aqueous surfactant solution no precipitate is formed as observed in common template synthesis of mesoporous materials. B ecause of the water solubility of our silicate precursor it can be dissolve d into the surfactant phase without phase separation. During hydrolysis of the precursor ethylene glycol is produced which does not affect the hydroph obic interaction of the surfactant. It is shown by contrast variation that surfactant does not affect the fract al dimension of the final silica gel. Measurements after gelation demonstra te the unchanged presence of surfactant micelles.