Cubic Ia3d large mesoporous silica: synthesis and replication to platinum nanowires, carbon nanorods and carbon nanotubesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: TEM images of mesoporous cubic silica and Pt networks, XRD patterns during formation of the cubic phase. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/cc/b3/b306504a/

A new synthesis route to high-quality large mesoporous cubic Ia3d silica is reported, utilizing a triblock copolymer (EO20PO70EO20)–butanol mixture for the structure direction in aqueous solution.