Halloysite clay nanotubes as nano-bazookas for drug delivery

Halloysite nanotubes are cheap, abundant in their deposits, natural green clays with cylindrical structure having a chemical composition similar to that of kaolin. Because of their lumens, high aspect length-diameter ratio and low hydroxyl density on their surface they are readily suitable for a number of interesting applications. In this review we focus only on their use as nano-bazooka' drug carriers, able to shoot their cargo against major diseases. Their structure, controlled release and loading are described. We emphasize especially their possible use as novel drug delivery systems with applications in nanomedicine. (c) 2017 Society of Chemical Industry