Monolithic and transparent lithium borosilicate gels were obtained by using a cationic surfactant. The textural and structural properties of the pyrolysed xerogel at different temperatures were studied by IR, DTA-TG, X-ray, SEM and BET techniques. The obtained results show that the samples remain amorphous and mesoporous when the samples were heat treated below 600 degrees C. It is interesting to notice that Li' does not establish a bond with the borosilicate network in this range temperature. Above this temperature, the crystallinity starts associated with the largest decreases of specific surface area and pore volume. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.