Topic Editors

Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 36, 90123 Palermo, Italy
Department of Mathematics, Informatics and Geosciences, University of Trieste, 34128 Trieste, Italy

Recent Advances in Clay-Based Nanocomposites: From Design to Sustainable Applications

Abstract submission deadline
31 October 2026
Manuscript submission deadline
31 December 2026
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1322

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanoclay technology is an emerging and inherently multidisciplinary field of applied sciences that encompasses the design, synthesis, and characterization of nanoscale clay-based composites and the exploration of their wide-ranging applications. Combining concepts from materials science, chemistry, environmental engineering, and nanotechnology, this field is gaining increasing relevance in both fundamental research and technological innovation.

Recent progress in synthesis and characterization techniques—such as X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and various spectroscopic and surface analytical methods—has led to a deeper understanding of the structural, chemical, and functional properties of these nanomaterials, paving the way for novel and sustainable applications.

This Topic aims to gather contributions on the latest advances in the preparation, modification, and characterization of clays, clay minerals, and related nanocomposites, with particular attention to their multifunctional performance and cross-disciplinary uses.

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • Photocatalytic and adsorptive applications for environmental remediation and pollutant degradation.
  • Resource recovery and waste valorization using clay-based nanomaterials in a circular economy framework.
  • Functional and structural properties (mechanical, thermal, electrical, surface, and interfacial).
  • Biomedical, pharmaceutical, catalytic, and cultural heritage applications.
  • Modeling and simulation of nanoscale processes and interactions.
  • Sustainability assessments and future perspectives in green nanotechnology.

Original research articles and comprehensive reviews addressing these topics are warmly invited.

Dr. Luciana Sciascia
Dr. Filippo Parisi
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • nanoclay technology
  • organoclay nanocomposites
  • interfacial phenomena
  • adsorption processes
  • environmental remediation
  • photocatalytic applications
  • clay-based materials
  • green nanotechnology

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Journal of Composites Science
jcs
3.7 5.8 2017 15.9 Days CHF 1800 Submit
Materials
materials
3.2 6.4 2008 15.5 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Minerals
minerals
2.2 4.4 2011 17.7 Days CHF 2400 Submit
Nanomaterials
nanomaterials
4.3 9.2 2010 14 Days CHF 2400 Submit
Polymers
polymers
4.9 9.7 2009 14.4 Days CHF 2700 Submit

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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14 pages, 2830 KB  
Review
Sustainable Clay-Based Nanocomposites for Algal Toxin Remediation
by Rimma Tokinova, Artem Rozhin and Elvira Rozhina
J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(5), 259; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10050259 - 10 May 2026
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Abstract
This review highlights recent advances in clay-based nanocomposites for the remediation of algal toxins in aquatic environments. Particular emphasis is placed on hybrid materials derived from clay mineral nanoparticles with diverse morphologies that exhibit high efficiency in the adsorption and removal of cyanobacterial [...] Read more.
This review highlights recent advances in clay-based nanocomposites for the remediation of algal toxins in aquatic environments. Particular emphasis is placed on hybrid materials derived from clay mineral nanoparticles with diverse morphologies that exhibit high efficiency in the adsorption and removal of cyanobacterial toxins, including microcystins, anatoxins, and motuporin. Owing to their large specific surface area, structural versatility, and tunable surface chemistry, clay minerals provide an effective platform for the design of functional nanocomposites capable of enhancing toxin capture and degradation. Recent developments in clay-integrated treatment systems are discussed. Full article
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11 pages, 4415 KB  
Article
Chromium-for-Aluminum Substitution in Synthetic Serpentine
by Huang Lin, Hui Zhang and Benjamin Gilbert
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(8), 448; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16080448 - 9 Apr 2026
Viewed by 438
Abstract
Cr-bearing clay minerals are products of hydrothermal alteration and fluid–rock interactions of ultramafic rocks that form serpentine minerals. Cr is typically observed to substitute for Al in serpentine minerals, but the crystal chemistry and environmental constraints on this substitution are unknown. Here, we [...] Read more.
Cr-bearing clay minerals are products of hydrothermal alteration and fluid–rock interactions of ultramafic rocks that form serpentine minerals. Cr is typically observed to substitute for Al in serpentine minerals, but the crystal chemistry and environmental constraints on this substitution are unknown. Here, we synthesized endmember and Cr-substituted amesite, a typical Al-serpentine mineral, via the hydrothermal method. We found that the phase purity highly depends on the pH of the hydrothermal solution, which should be controlled at ~12.7 to avoid the formation of impurity phases. Additionally, amesite can incorporate Cr at a concentration equivalent to ~39.5% substitution of Al. The Cr-free and Cr-substituted amesite are highly defective and contain multiple polytypes, including 6R2, 2M1, and possibly 2H2. However, the relative proportions of these polytypes do not change with increasing chromium substitution. Full article
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