Search results for " Halloysite nanotubes"

Halloysite-Based Bionanocomposites

2017

Scientific research has been invigorated by a new class of biodegradable materials as alternatives to polymers derived from fossils. Such biomaterials can also offer economic advantages because they are derived from renewable resources. Several biopolymers (gelatin, chitin, chitosan, starch, pectin, cellulose and its modified versions, etc.) have been exploited to produce films and formulations. Their use is limited because of fast degradation, predominant hydrophilic character, and, in some cases, unsatisfactory mechanical properties. However, the properties of these polymers can be improved by using inorganic fillers such as additives. Halloysite nanotube is a promising green filler for t…

Microemulsion encapsulated into halloysite nanotubes and their applications for cleaning of a marble surface

2018

Halloysite nanotubes were used to incorporate anionic surfactant micelles and an organic solvent to generate a cleaning system to be applied in Cultural Heritage restoration. The targeted adsorption is driven by electrostatic interactions based on the nanotubes peculiar charge separation. Namely anionic species are driven to the positively charged inner surface while being prevented from interacting with the halloysite outer surface that possesses a positive charge density. The hybrid organic/inorganic emulsion was characterized by dynamic light scattering. Analysis of the autocorrelation function allowed us to define the presence of surfactant aggregates inside/outside the nanotube lumen a…

Synthesis, Characterization, and Study, of New Nanostructured Materials

Current Status of Nanoclay Phytotoxicity

2018

The use of nanotechnology in several fields has created a great interest and its rapid development with application in material science, nanomedicine, medical diagnosis, computer chips, catalysis and so on. The use of nanomaterials represents various advantages, including size, highly active surfaces, unique physico-chemical properties, and in some cases a controlled release of chemicals. In this context phyto-nanotechnology is growing and has promising application in agricultural aspects, such as use of soil remediation, antioxidants, adsorbents, nano-sensor for detection of soil quality, delivery of fertilizers and many others. Plants are very important components of the terrestrial eco-s…

Gold nanoparticles stabilized by modified halloysite nanotubes for catalytic applications

2019

A highly sustainable prototype of a flow system based on gold nanoparticles (4.2 nm) supported on thiol-functionalized halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) was developed for catalytic applications. The catalytic performances were evaluated using the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol as a model system. Under the best experimental conditions (0.0001 mol%, 1.97 × 10−8 mg of Au nanoparticles), an impressive apparent turnover frequency value up to 2 204 530 h−1 was achieved and the halloysite-based catalyst showed full recyclability even after ten cycles. The high catalytic activity confirms the importance of the use of HNTs as support for Au nanoparticles that can exert a synergistic effect bo…

Halloysite nanotubes as support for metal-based catalysts

2017

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are clay minerals with a hollow nanotubular structure. There is growing interest in these nanomaterials, due to their biocompatibility, potential applications and availability. The surface chemistry of HNTs is versatile for the targeted chemical modification of the inner lumen and outer surface. Functionalized halloysite constitutes a valuable support for metal nanoparticles, promoting catalytic applications with tunable properties. The peculiar tubular shape of HNTs favors the dispersion and surface availability of the supported metal nanoparticles that are active in the catalytic path. Moreover, the presence of an empty lumen opens new perspectives for the prod…

Keratin/alginate hybrid hydrogels filled with halloysite clay nanotubes for protective treatment of human hair

2022

Keratin/alginate hydrogels filled with halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) have been tested for the protective coating of human hair. Preliminary studies have been conducted on the aqueous colloidal systems and the corresponding hydrogels obtained by using Ca2+ ions as crosslinkers. Firstly, we have investigated the colloidal properties of keratin/alginate/HNTs dispersions to explore the specific interactions occurring between the biomacromolecules and the nanotubes. Then, the rheological properties of the hydrogels have been studied highlighting that the keratin/alginate interactions and the subsequent addition of HNTs facilitate the biopolymer crosslinking. Finally, human hair samples have been t…

Ecotoxicity of halloysite nanotube–supported palladium nanoparticles in Raphanus sativus L

2015

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are natural nanomaterials that are biocompatible and available in large amounts at low prices. They are emerging nanomaterials with appealing properties for applications like support for metal nanoparticles (NPs). The potential environmental impacts of NPs can be understood in terms of phytotoxicity. Current research has been focusing on HNT applications in cell or animal models, while their use in plants is limited so their ecotoxicological impact is poorly documented. To date there are no studies on the phytotoxic effects of functionalized halloysites (functionalized-HNTs). To develop a quantitative risk assessment model for predicting the potential impact of H…

Palladium nanoparticles immobilized on halloysite nanotubes covered by a multilayer network for catalytic applications

2018

The synthesis of pure fine chemicals for industrial purposes is one of the most attractive challenges of chemical research. The use of catalytic pathways mediated by palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) for C-C bond formation is a useful way to obtain these kinds of compounds. To achieve this objective, the PdNPs can be efficiently loaded on a functionalized natural nanostructured support such as halloysite nanotubes (HNTs). Hybrid materials based on thiol functionalized halloysite nanotubes and highly cross-linked imidazolium salts were successfully developed and used for the stabilization of PdNPs. The HNT/Pd hybrids were thoroughly characterized from a physico-chemical point of view and teste…

Halloysite based geopolymers filled with wax microparticles as sustainable building materials with enhanced thermo-mechanical performances

2022

This work proposes a novel protocol for the fabrication of halloysite based geopolymers filled with beeswax microparticles obtained from Pickering emulsions. The actual filling of the microwax into the geopolymers has been demonstrated by using several techniques, including thermal analyses, spectroscopies, microscopies and contact angle experiments. According to the morphological and structural investigations, microwax spherical particles (diameter ranging between ca. 3 and 5 μm) have been homogeneously dispersed within the geopolymeric network conferring excellent properties to the hybrid geopolymers in terms of mechanical performances and heat storage capacity although their low content …