Novel surfactant mesostructural topologies: between lamellae and columnar (hexagonal) forms

Recent developments in theoretical and experimental studies of amphiphilic lyotropic ‘intermediate’ mesophase formation are summarized. For the purposes of the review, we consider intermediate mesophases to be self-assemblies with novel geometries and topologies, excluding lamellar, bicontinuous sponge, columnar (hexagonal) and micellar mesophases. Intermediates include novel branched bilayer topologies, enclosing multiple interwoven channel systems and inclined rod packings, and punctured bilayer morphologies, including mesh phases and bicontinuous monolayers.