Emerging trends and challenges in synthetic clay-based materials and layered double hydroxides

摘要

The papers in this special issue of Applied Clay Science are a collection of some current research activities on synthetic clay minerals and clay-based materials. The science and technology on clay minerals have made great contribution to human society through the invention and use of clay-based materials from traditional ceramics to modern functional nanocomposites. In this respect, synthesis of clay mineral-like materials and advanced clay-based materials is still prerequisite for further applications. These papers in this special issue suggested that the research on synthetic clay minerals, clay-based materials and analogues such as layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have continuously received particular attention of clay scientists. Such materials play an increasing active role in catalysis, environment, biology and nanotechnology.