The silica microspheres were prepared by sodium silicate (Na2O.XSiO2) and (NH4)(2)SO4 with sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS, C12H25SO3Na) micelles as templates in ethanol-water solvent. The existence of regular arrays of lamellar mesoporous structure was detected by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Then the morphology of SiO2 microspheres was observed by scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The average diameter of SiO2 microspheres is 0.2 mum. Content of ethanol, of templates, system temperature and aging time have influence on the formation of the lamellar mesoporcus structure. In addition, the best volume ratio of ethanol: water is 1:1. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.