Search results for "halloysite nanotubes"
showing 10 items of 56 documents
Dual drug-loaded halloysite hybrid-based glycocluster for sustained release of hydrophobic molecules
2016
A dual drug-loaded HNT–CD glycocluster delivery system based on halloysite nanotubes and carbohydrate functionalized cyclodextrin was developed by a green protocol using solvent-free microwave irradiation. The nanohybrid was employed for concurrent load and release of silibinin and curcumin. The new delivery system was characterized by means of TGA, FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM and DLS. These techniques confirm the successful loading of the two drugs in the system. SEM and DLS measurements highlighted that the nanomaterial preserves a tubular structure with an average hydrodynamic radius of ca. 200 nm. The release of the drugs from the HNT glycocluster was investigated by means of UV-vis spectro…
Site-specific halloysite functionalization by polydopamine: A new synthetic route for potential near infrared-activated delivery system
2022
Abstract Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) represent a versatile core structure for the design of functional nanosystems of biomedical interest. However, the development of selective methodologies for the site-controlled functionalization of the nanotubes at specific sites is not an easy task. This study aims to accomplish a procedure for the site-selective/specific, “pin-point”, functionalization of HNTs with polydopamine (HNTs@PDA). This goal was achieved, at pH 6.5, by exploiting the basicity of ZnO nanoparticles anchored on the HNTs external surface (HNTs@ZnO) to induce a punctual polydopamine polymerization and coating. The morphology and the chemical composition of the nanomaterial was demo…
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…
Prodrug based on halloysite delivery systems to improve the antitumor ability of methotrexate in leukemia cell lines
2021
The prodrug approach, as well as the development of specific systems able to deliver a chemotherapeutic agent in the target site, decreasing the side effects often associated with its administration, are still a challenging. In this context, both methotrexate drug molecules (MTX) and biotin ligand moieties, whose receptors are overexpressed on the surface of several cancer cells, were loaded on halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) to develop nanomaterial based on multifunctional and "smart" delivery systems. To highlight the crucial role played by biotin, carrier systems based on HNTs and MTX were also synthetized. In detail, several approaches were envisaged: i) a supramolecular interaction between…
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…
Multifunctional Carrier Based on Halloysite/Laponite Hybrid Hydrogel for Kartogenin Delivery
2018
[Image: see text] A novel carrier system based on halloysite nanotubes (HNT), for the potential intraarticular delivery of kartogenin (KGN) by means laponite (Lap) hydrogel (HNT/KGN/Lap), is developed. The drug was first loaded into HNT, and the hybrid composite obtained was used as filler for laponite hydrogel. Both the filler and the hydrogel were thoroughly investigated by several techniques and the hydrogel morphology was imaged by transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, the gelating ability of laponite in the presence of the filler and the rheological properties of the hybrid hydrogel were also investigated. The kinetic release of kartogenin from HNT and HNT/Lap hybrid hydrogel …
Synthesis and characterization of nanomaterial based on halloysite and hectorite clay minerals covalently bridged
2021
Halloysite is an aluminosilicate clay with a predominantly hollow tubular structure (HNTs) able to act as a nanocontainer for the encapsulation of several chemicals. However, HNTs possess low affinity for metal ions in their pristine form and they need to be modified for improving their adsorption capabilities. Therefore, to overcome this issue herein we report a straightforward approach for the covalent modification of the external surface of halloysite nanotubes with hectorite clay. Compared to halloysite, hectorite possesses a lamellar structure with higher cation exchange capacity. The covalent linkage between the two clays was verified by several techniques (FTIR spectroscopy, 13C CP-M…
One-pot synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles supported on halloysite nanotubes for catalytic applications
2020
Abstract A versatile catalyst based on halloysite and zinc oxide (HNT@ZnO) was prepared, for the first time, starting from ZnO commercial bulk form as Zn precursor source, in a one-pot procedure. This strategy gives the possibility to obtain small ZnO nanoparticles loaded on the HNT surface without the use of inorganic salts which envisage the removal of undesired anions and therefore a calcination process at high temperature. It was found that the presence of halloysite improved the UV–vis spectral absorption ability of ZnO. The hybrid was successful used as photocatalyst for the methylorange and rhodamine B degradation. In addition, after eight consecutive cycles for the methylorange phot…
Thermal stability and flammability of polyolefin/halloysite nanotubes composites
2015
Najnowsze badania w zakresie uniepalniania poliolefin są ukierunkowane na zastosowanie dodatku nanorurek haloizytowych (HNT) jako bezhalogenowego środka zmniejszającego palność, a jednocześnie zachowującego właściwości mechaniczne osnowy. Powstająca na powierzchni płonącego nanokompozytu, zawierającego HNT, warstwa tzw. zgorzeliny ogranicza przenikanie gazów oraz ciepła i zabezpiecza materiał przed dalszym paleniem. Unikatowa struktura HNT umożliwia dodatkowo pochłanianie produktów termicznego rozkładu poliolefinowej osnowy. Na podstawie dostępnej literatury dokonano oceny wpływu różnych czynników, m.in. modyfikacji nanorurek haloizytowych i/lub dodatku kompatybilizatora i/lub doboru odpowi…
Effect of a new amido‐imidazolium compound as a clay modifier on properties of polypropylene composites
2021
Halloysite nanotubes (HNT) and montmorillonite (Mt) were modified by a novel, dicarboxylic fatty acid substituted amido-imidazolium chloride. It was found that the modification process of the clays by the imidazolium compound improved their dispersion in the polymer matrix, while HNT were a more beneficial filler of PP than Mt. PP/imidazolium modified HNT composites (PP/HNT-M) showed significant increase in thermo-oxidative stability, flexibility, and toughness, combined with a slight reduction in stiffness, as well as a lack of changes in crystallinity and strength, compared with neat PP. These effects were not observed for PP/Mt composites. The formation of strong interactions between the…