Application of imogolite clay nanotubes in organic–inorganic nanohybrid materials

Abstract

The unique one dimensional structure and the positively charged external surface are the driving forces for imogolite clay nanotubes emerging as one of the most promising nano building blocks for various hybrid materials. This paper reviews the utility of imogolite in organic–inorganic nanohybrids, including polymer–imogolite nanocomposites and imogolite based hybrid hydrogels. Several effective approaches for dispersing imogolite down to small-sized bundles or even individual nanotubes in polymer matrices, including both hydrophobic and hydrophilic polymers, are introduced. The application of imogolite for the direct gel formation of biomolecules is also introduced.