Clay particle engineering: A potential new technology with diverse applications

The ability to disperse different clay materials in aqueous suspensions into fundamental particles 1–10 nm thick and combine them in various combinations and proportions has stimulated research into the more effective use of the unique properties of these materials. These properties include high surface area (up to 800 m²/g). cation exchange capacity (up to 120 meq./100 g) and anion exchange capacity (up to 25 meq./100 g) which can be utilized in a variety of industrial processes and other commerical applications. The products of such combinations are synthetic, randomly interstratified clays whose adsorption/desorption characteristics, micro-porosity, permeability, and interlayer chemistry can be modified to optimize their performance as chemical supports and heterogeneous catalysts. Thin films (10–100 nm) can be formed from these materials with a wide range of compositions and properties with possible applications in the medical treatment of burns and wounds, as release agents and coatings in pharmaceuticals and agricultural products, for the immobilization of bacteria and as enzyme supports in biotechnology. The coatings and films can be fired at temperatures of 1000°C to produce micro-ceramic products which could lead to applications such as electrical insulators and semiconductors and as protective coatings and bonding intermediates in the material sciences. This report outlines the methods of preparation and properties of these clay materials and presents analytical and experimental results demonstrating the promise of this technology.