This book offers a thorough and systematic overview of
palygorskite, a fibrous magnesium–aluminium silicate that has emerged as one of
the most promising natural nanomaterials in modern scientific research. It
traces the mineral’s journey from its geological origins and the strategic
significance of major global deposits – highlighting those in Brazil, China,
and the United States – to a rigorous analysis of its crystallographic
complexity. The book presents the chronological development of structural
models, discussing how advances in understanding octahedral ribbons and
nanometric channels have enabled hightechnology applications. The scientific
core examines host-guest interaction mechanisms from the perspective of extreme
molecular confinement. By integrating experimental data and computational
simulations, such as Molecular Dynamics and Density Functional Theory (DFT), it
demonstrates how the unique geometry of palygorskite nanochannels governs fluid
self-organisation and the thermal stability of organic compounds. A key feature
of this edition is an in-depth technical analysis of the mineral’s beneficiation
and physicochemical activation. Cascade purification protocols are covered,
from mechanical dispersion of single crystals to acid and thermal activation,
establishing critical temperature limits to prevent structural folding and
porosity loss. At the forefront of environmental, industrial, and biomedical
applications, the text details palygorskite’s role in water remediation, the
development of green chemistry antibacterial systems, and the creation of
hybrid membranes for desalination. It also discusses innovations in Fenton-like
catalysis and tribology, where the mineral serves as an active support and
self-lubricating agent. The book also highlights current challenges and future
perspectives, including material regeneration, safety assessment, and
structure-guided functionalisation, which are essential for the responsible and
scalable use of palygorskite-based technologies. Overall, the review concludes
that palygorskite’s unique nanoarchitecture enables a rare combination of
adsorption selectivity, thermal stability, and multifunctionality, positioning
this mineral as a key platform for next generation sustainable materials and
technologies. This work is an indispensable resource for researchers seeking to
understand how the structural intelligence and precise processing of clay
minerals can be transformed into sustainable and groundbreaking technological
solutions for the challenges of the 21st century.
Author(s) Details
Pedro H.B. Lima
Graduate Program in Chemistry, Federal University of Piauí, Center for
Nature Sciences, Minister Petrônio Portella University Campus, Ininga,
64049-550 Teresina, PI, Brazil.
Alexandre A. De Souza
Graduate Program in Chemistry, Federal University of Piauí, Center for
Nature Sciences, Minister Petrônio Portella University Campus, Ininga,
64049-550 Teresina, PI, Brazil.
Sidney G. de Lima
Graduate Program in Chemistry, Federal University of Piauí, Center for
Nature Sciences, Minister Petrônio Portella University Campus, Ininga,
64049-550 Teresina, PI, Brazil.
Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-999106-3-8
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