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Natural nanoclays: applications and future trends – a Chilean perspective

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2018

M. Calabi Floody ,
B. K. G. Theng ,
P. Reyes  and
M. L. Mora
M. Calabi Floody
Affiliation:
Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias de Recursos Naturales Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
B. K. G. Theng
Affiliation:
Landcare Research, Private Bag 11052, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
P. Reyes
Affiliation:
Departamento de Físico Química, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
M. L. Mora*
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ciencias Química, Universidad de La Frontera, Casilla 54-D, Temuco, Chile
*
*E-mail: mariluz@ufro.cl
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Abstract

Because of their large potential for agricultural, industrial and medicinal applications, nanomaterials have been the focus of much research during the past few decades. Nanoclays are natural nanomaterials that occur in the clay fraction of soil, among which montmorillonite and allophane are the most important species. Montmorillonite is a crystalline hydrous phyllosilicate (layer silicate). Organically-modified montmorillonites or ‘organoclays’, formed by intercalation of quaternary ammonium cations, have long been used as rheological modifiers and additives in paints, inks, greases and cosmetics and as carriers and delivery systems for the controlled release of drugs. Perhaps the largest single usage of organoclays over recent years has been in the manufacture of polymer-clay nanocomposites. These organic–inorganic hybrid materials show superior mechanical, thermal and gas-barrier properties. Organoclays are also useful in pollution control and water treatment. Allophane is a non-crystalline aluminosilicate derived from the weathering of volcanic ash. A large proportion of the agricultural land in Chile is covered by volcanic soils,the clay fraction of which is dominated by allophane. Consisting of nanosize (3.5–5.0 nm) hollow spherules, allophane is a suitable support material for enzyme immobilization. Allophane is also effective at adsorbing phenolic compounds and colour from kraft mill effluents and phosphate from water and wastewater.

Keywords

nanoclaynanomaterialspolymer-clay nanocompositesorganoclaysallophanevolcanic soilsChile
Type
Research Article
Information
Clay Minerals , Volume 44 , Issue 2 , June 2009 , pp. 161 - 176
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2009

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