Halloysite: a unique, diverse and widely useful natural nanomaterial

Halloysite is a clay mineral whose time has arrived. Until 2006, few papers were published on this mineral. Its main use was as a raw material for ceramics, in place of kaolinite. The approximately 800 papers published since then reflect its recognition as a nanomaterial, especially in nanotubes. These have proved widely useful, including as reinforcing fillers in plastics, as carriers for the controlled internal release of medicines – and of pesticides, and also for immobilizing catalysts. Nonetheless, it remains “a very strange mineral” as was once written. This symposium will discuss its proliferating uses and applications, its mineralogy and occurrence, to bring together scientists involved with all aspects of halloysite.

This session is supported by Applied Minerals