Halloysite Nanotubes: Smart Nanomaterials in Catalysis

The use of clay minerals as catalyst is renowned since ancient times. Among the different clays used for catalytic purposes, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) represent valuable resources for industrial applications. This special tubular clay possesses high stability and biocompatibility, resistance against organic solvents, and most importantly be available in large amounts at a low cost. Therefore, HNTs can be efficiently used as catalysts themselves or supports for metal nanoparticles in several catalytic processes. This review reports a comprehensive overview of the relevant advances in the use of halloysite in catalysis, focusing the attention on the last five years.

Automated summary

The use of clay minerals, particularly halloysite nanotubes, as catalysts offers a promising avenue in various catalytic processes. These tubular clay materials possess high stability, biocompatibility, resistance to organic solvents, and can be produced in large quantities at low cost. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advancements in utilizing halloysite in catalysis.