Meet the editor

Dr. Gustavo Morari do Nascimento is a professor at the Federal University of ABC, Brazil. He has strong experience in many fields related to the spectroscopic and microscopic characterization of nanomaterials. He obtained a doctoral degree from the University of São Paulo (USP) in 2004 with a thesis on spectroscopic characterization of nanocomposites formed by conducting polymers and clays. He spent 2007–2008 working

on a post-doctoral degree at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the resonance Raman study of double-walled carbon nanotubes doped with halogens under the guidance of the legendary Mildred S. Dresselhaus. Back in Brazil, Dr. Morari do Nascimento spent three years (2009–2011) at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) working with the synthesis of nanostructured carbon modified with molecular magnets. Currently, his research focus is on using different spectroscopic techniques for molecular characterization of chemically modified, carbon-nanostructured materials and polymer nanocomposites. He employs Resonance Raman and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) coupled to microscopy techniques added to X-ray absorption techniques at the National Synchrotron Light Laboratory in his investigation.

Contents

**Section 1**

Materials

*by Gustavo Morari do Nascimento*

Irradiation, and Chemical Treatments

Limestone Clays for Ceramic Industry

Multifunctional Clay in Pharmaceuticals

*and Irisappan Sarathchandiran*

*by Ricardo I. Jeldres and Matías Jeldres*

*by Herbet Alves de Oliveira and Cochiran Pereira dos Santos*

*by Nandakumar Selvasudha, Unnikrishnan-Meenakshi Dhanalekshmi,* 

Rheological Perspectives of Clay-Based Tailings in the Mining Industry

*Sekar Krishnaraj, Yogeeswarakannan Harish Sundar, Nagarajan Sri Durga Devi* 

Clay Hybrid Materials *by Tanushree Choudhury*

*by Celia Marcos*

Waste Slurries

**Section 2**

*by Yıldırım İsmail Tosun*

**Preface III**

Properties and Materials **1**

**Chapter 1 3**

**Chapter 2 17**

**Chapter 3 33**

**Chapter 4 55**

Applications **81**

**Chapter 5 83**

**Chapter 6 99**

**Chapter 7 123**

Two Spectroscopies as Main Source for Investigation of Polymer-Clay

Structural Changes in Vermiculites Induced by Temperature, Pressure,

Adsorption of Heavy Metals by Microwave Activated Shale/Asphaltite Char/Zeolite Granule Composts from Hazardous Sludges and Industrial

## Contents


*by Ricardo I. Jeldres and Matías Jeldres*

Preface

This book presents the state-of-the-art results of synthesis, characterization, modification, and technological applications of clays, clay minerals, and materials based on clay minerals, such as polymer–clay nanocomposites and clay hybrids. The main goal of this work is to contribute to the rationalization of some important results obtained in the broad area of clays and clay materials characterization. Moreover, this book provides a comprehensive account of polymer and biopolymer– clay nanocomposites, use of clay as an adsorption material for industrial pollutants, the ceramics industry, and the physical–chemical aspects of aqueous dispersions of clay and clay minerals. This book is beneficial for students, teachers, and researchers who are interested in expanding their knowledge about the use of clays in a diverse range of fields, including nanotechnology, biotechnology, environmental science,

The overall idea of the book is to provide the reader with a comprehensive, up-to-date, and evidence-based overview of the current literature in clay science and technology. This book discusses the main and new aspects of clay science and technology and is divided into two sections: "Properties and Materials" and

Chapter 1 discusses the use of molecular and vibrational spectroscopies in the characterization of polymer–clay nanocomposites. It presents and reviews the main results collected in more than a decade. The screening of the electronic and vibrational structures of polymer–clay nanocomposites through resonance Raman and X-ray absorption spectroscopies has been decisive in determining their structure and in the study of the interactions between clays and intercalated

Chapter 2 reviews clay hybrid materials for the most conventional and widely used classes of polymers. It also discusses the general reasons for using clay in hybrid materials. The green composite formed by clay polymer mixing has many improved properties such as high glass transition temperature (Tg), high flame resistance, high tensile strength, and improved barrier properties, all of which may be applied in the textile and automobile industries as well as in the fields of environmental

Chapter 3 discusses the structural modifications of vermiculite clays after some physical and chemical treatments. The vermiculite transformation by structural water loss occurs with increasing temperature, vacuum, irradiation with microwaves or ultraviolet, and with either alcohol or acidic treatment. On the contrary, the transformation by water gain occurs in vermiculites treated with hydrogen peroxide

industrial remediation, pharmaceuticals, and so on.

polymers in a myriad of synthetic conditions.

and in those subjected to ionic metal exchange.

science and polymer engineering.

"Applications."

Properties and Materials
