ESCALATING APPLICATIONS OF HALLOYSITE NANOTUBES

ABSTRACT In nanotechnology different nano materials are used like carbon nanotubes, nanofluids, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, nanocapsules, etc. Due to their toxic effects the results of these nano materials are not considered safe for humans and for the environment as well. Halloysite nanotubules (HNTs) having low cost are naturally occurring environmental friendly nanotubules. These are distinctive and handy materials formed by face weathering of aluminosilicate minerals having definite ratio of aluminum, silicon, hydrogen, and oxygen. HNTs have high mechanical strength and modulus. Due to these properties it is ideal for various applications; remediation of ecological contaminants, these are acting as a career for the delivery of drugs and various macro molecules, storage of H 2 gas, for catalytic conversions and for the processing of hydrocarbons. These are also used in anticancer therapy, sustained delivery for certain agents, as a template or nanoreactor for biocatalyst, in personal care, cosmetics and as environment caring. They are also used in the fabrication of high quality white-ware ceramics, nanotemplates and nano scale reaction bottles. Due to easy dispersability in polymer matrix, abundant availability and biocompatibility, HNTs are also used in different epoxy (EP) composites. In this review, we have tried to recap the different aspects of halloysites nanotubes for their use in different research fields.