Transfer helix and chirality to 1,4-phenylene silica nanostructures

1,4-Phenylene silica nanotubes were prepared using a chiral anionic gelator 12K with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (TEAPS) as a co-structure-directing agent, and 1,4-bistriethoxybenzene (BTEB) as precursor. When sol–gel transcription process was carried out in pure water, left-handed coiled nanotubes, double helical nanotubes, and triple helical nanotubes were obtained. When sol–gel transcription process was carried out in mixtures of water and ethanol, hybrid silica nanotubes formed by left-handed coiled nanoribbons were obtained. With increasing the volume ratios of ethanol to water, mixtures of left-handed coiled tubular ribbons and tube-in-tube nanostructures were obtained. Circular dichroism (CD) spectrum indicates at least some of the aromatic rings within the walls pack in chiral.