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Functional Kaolinite
1Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont. K1N6N5, Canada.
Chemical Record (New York, N.Y.)
|January 10, 2018
Summary
Kaolinite, a key component of clay, offers significant potential beyond traditional uses. Functionalizing its structure enables advanced applications in drug delivery, nanocomposites, and catalysis, shifting its value to high-added uses.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Mineralogy
Background:
- Kaolin is the most mined clay, traditionally used in ceramics, refractories, and paper.
- Its primary component, kaolinite, possesses a unique layered structure amenable to functionalization.
- Intercalation into kaolinite is challenging due to strong interlayer forces but offers access to internal surfaces.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of kaolinite beyond its conventional applications.
- To demonstrate the functionalization of kaolinite for high value-added uses.
- To highlight the development of novel organo-inorgano nanohybrid materials based on kaolinite.
Main Methods:
- Investigating the intercalation of various molecular units and guest species into kaolinite.
- Synthesizing organo-inorgano nanohybrid materials by grafting organic groups onto kaolinite's internal surfaces.
- Exploring structural modifications of kaolinite, such as nanotube formation.
Main Results:
- Intercalation of pharmaceuticals, polymers, and ionic liquids yielded materials for drug delivery, nanocomposites, and ionic conductivity.
- Grafting organic groups enabled applications in catalysis, sensing, heavy metal adsorption, and luminescence.
- Functionalized kaolinite offers a controlled 2D environment for advanced material design.
Conclusions:
- Kaolinite's future lies in sophisticated, high value-added applications, moving beyond traditional uses.
- Further research into cost-effective nanotubular kaolinite production is recommended.
- Modified kaolinite holds promise for developing electrochemical devices for pollutant detection.
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