Silica ribbon colloidal solutions. The silica ribbon suspensions were prepared following three steps: synthesis of the organic template, silica transcription, and ribbon dispersion; each of which has been described by Okazaki, et al. Step 1: the synthesis of organic surfactant template C2H4-1,2-((CH3)2N + C16H33)2 with a tartrate counterion, also named 16-2-16 Gemini L-tartrate, was optimized in a previous work. First, 16-2-16 Gemini bromide was obtained from the reaction of N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine with 1-bromohexadecane. Then, silver acetate was used to replace the bromide in 16-2-16 Gemini bromide, giving the product 16-2-16 Gemini acetate. Finally, L-tartrate was chosen for the ion exchange of the acetate, to give the 16-2-16 Gemini L-tartrate. The complex self-assembled in water to form twisted ribbons. 1 mM 16-2-16 L-tartrate aqueous solution was heated to 60 °C for 15 min, then the solution was cooled to 20 °C for 2 h.