Halloysite: Structure, Occurrence and Applications

Halloysite is a natural clay mineral that belongs to the kaolin group. Its chemical formula is Al2(OH)4Si2O5.nH2O. Primarily, this mineral is an ideal nanofiller for polymer composites, but it is also utilized in the manufacture of ceramic wares and in the encapsulation of drugs in the pharmaceutical industry. The authors present details regarding a simple, rapid, high-yield, and low-temperature synthetic approach for the in-situ growth of noble metal nanoparticles in the interior of halloysite nanotubes. Benefits of halloysite nanotubes for polymeric structures and technical applications in various fields are highlighted, particularly their thermal stability, mechanical strength, and non-flammability. The closing chapter focuses on the latest research concerning halloysite nanotubes applications in different fields such as biomedicine and pharmacotherapy, food packaging, agriculture, water treatment, catalysis and antifouling.