Siliceous hollow helicoids (Archimedian screw shapes) with spiraling mesoscale channels are the result of a new way of controlling the growth and form of hexagonal mesoporous silica. These novel helicoids (see Figure) are produced when a patch of the hexagonal silicate liquid-crystal film contracts on hydrolytic polycondensation, triggering “roll-up”. A supramolecular Origami theoretical model is invoked to rationalize hollow helicoid formation.
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Yang et al. (1999) studied this question.