The structural similarity of the myristic acid and zirconium oxide pentahydrate is confirmed. The difference is that the 'head' part containing the oxide-zirconium group is the hydrophobic fragment of zirconium oxide pentahydrate. The hydrophilic part is presented by the firmly bounded (in chains) water molecules. With high concentrations of water in the system there is a possibility for the deformation of micelles and for the formation of helix-like structures due to the formation of side hydrogen bonds. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.