Mesostructured gallium oxides templated by dodecyl sulfate assemblies

Abstract

A gallium-based dodecyl sulfate mesophase with a hexagonal structure was synthesized by the homogeneous precipitation method using urea. The hexagonal phase has a unit-cell parameter a of 4.4 nm and appears as winding-rod shaped particles with hexagonal-shaped transverse surfaces. On removal of the incorporated surfactants by chemical or thermal treatment the mesophase structure collapses. On calcination at 700 °C or above it is totally converted into normal gallium oxide particles keeping the as-grown morphology. Precipitation in the presence of both dodecyl sulfate and lauryl (dodecyl) alcohol leads to the formation of a layered structure with an interlayer spacing of 4.0 nm which is so stable as to hamper the transition from layer to hexagonal structure.