Purification and Sorting of Halloysite Nanotubes into Homogeneous, Agglomeration-Free Fractions by Polydopamine Functionalization.

ABSTRACT: Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) have attracted great attention in the field of nanotechnology as natural, high value-added nanomaterials. Despite their significant potential as carriers of active agents and fillers in nanocomposite structures, inhomogeneity of HNTs in terms of length and diameter along with their agglomeration tendency poses important obstacles for the utilization of them in a wider range of applications. Here, a facile, three-step separation protocol that allows the sorting of HNTs into agglomeration-free, uniform size fractions is reported. The protocol consists of coating of HNTs with polydopamine to impart hydrophilicity and aqueous dispersibility, followed by their ultrasonication and centrifugation at varying velocities for size-based separation. Particle size distributi

SUBMITTER: Tas CE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7391362 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature