We have succeeded in the fabrication of distorted cubic R-3m mesoporous silica film with 3 D open mesostructure providing high pore accessibility from the surface-air interface. The film fabrication involves a unique approach of adding 1,3,5- triisopropylbenzene (TIPB) to the silica/cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide (CTAB) coating sol during its preparation. The addition of TIPB induces the formation of spheroid micelle promoting R-3m mesostructure in the film. In the case of fabrication of unsupported monolith, 3D cubic Im3m mesophase is obtained. These phases do not exist in the corresponding binary phase diagram of CTAB surfactant. The influences of the organic additives on the final phases are investigated in details.
