The latest halloysite nanotubes research results appeared in Advanced Materials.
The paper was authored by the Head of Bionanotechnology Lab of KFU Ravil Fakhrullin, Professor of the Institute for Micromanufacturing of Louisiana Tech University Yuri Lvov, Wencai Wang and Liqun Zhang of State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology.
Halloysite is a naturally biocompatible cheap nanomaterial. The inner lumen of halloysite can be used as a nanocontainer for chemical compounds.
Halloysite «bones» can be filled with active substances in the same way that bones of living creatures are filled with bone marrow. This provides additional functionality for polymers which can be used in antimicrobial and anti-aging treatments, anticorrosion and fireproofing activities.
Research in live cells and worms proved the safety of halloysite. Moreover, halloysite clay tubes can preserve and emit molecules in a directed manner which makes them prospective medication transportation tools.
DNA and enzymes encapsulation is another field of research. Halloysite nanotubes can be used as superstructures on live cells. The research is ongoing at the Bionanotechnology Lab, and new results are expected to come soon.