On the structure of the cubic phase I1 in some lipid-water systems

ABSTRACTIt is suggested that the cubic (I1) mesophase located between the isotropic micellar solution and the hexagonal mesophase and belonging to the space group Pm3n has the same structure as solid γ-02, β-F2 or N2. The structural unit is composed of 8 rod-like aggregates with an axial ratio around 2. The model reconciles X-ray and NMR data and is much more probable than previous suggestions by Tardieu and Luzzati (1970) and by Fox (1983).