Preface; Contents; About the Editors; 1 Nanoclay Modification and Functionalization for Nanocomposites Development: Effect on the Structural, Morphological, Mechanical and Rheological Properties; Abstract; 1 Introduction; 2 Clay Minerals: Structure, Properties and Applications; 3 Oragnosilane Chemistry; 4 Silylation of Clay Minerals; 5 Preparation and Characterization of Silane Grafted Clay; 5.1 X-Ray Diffraction (XRD); 5.2 Structural Characteristics (FTIR); 5.3 Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA); 6 Nanocomposites Preparation; 6.1 Dynamic Light Scattering; 6.2 Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

6.3 Melt Flow Index6.4 Tensile Testing; 6.5 Torsional Test; 6.6 Melt Rheological Test; 7 Conclusions; References; 2 Characteristic Properties of Nanoclays and Characterization of Nanoparticulates and Nanocomposites; Abstract; 1 Nanoclays; 1.1 Structural and Physical Properties of Nanoclays; 1.1.1 Halloysite; 1.1.2 Montmorillonite; 1.2 Organophilization of Nanoclays; 1.3 Nanoclays as Nano Fillers for Polymer-Clay Nanocomposites; 2 Characterization; 2.1 Fourier Transfer Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR); 2.2 Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM); 2.3 Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)

3 Conclusion and Future PerspectiveReferences; 3 Modification of Nanoclay Systems: An Approach to Explore Various Applications; Abstract; 1 Introduction; 2 Development in Clay Studies; 3 Structure and Types of Nanoclay Particles; 3.1 Type 1:1 Phyllosilicates; 3.1.1 The Kaolinite Group; 3.2 Type 2:1 Phyllosilicates; 3.2.1 The MMT/Smectite Group; 3.2.2 The Vermiculite Group; 3.2.3 The Illite Group; 3.3 Type 2:2 or 2:1:1 Phyllosilicates; 3.3.1 The Chlorite Group; 4 Properties of Clay; 4.1 Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC); 4.2 Electrical Conductivity

4.3 Thermal Barrier, Flame Retardancy and Anticorrosive Properties4.4 Characterization of Clay; 5 Modification of Clay Materials; 6 Polymer Clay Nanocomposites (PCN); 6.1 PCN Structure; 6.2 Preparation of PCN; 6.2.1 Pre-Swell or Exfoliate; 6.2.2 In Situ Polymerization; 6.2.3 Melt Intercalation; 7 Applications; 7.1 Drug Delivery; 7.2 Treatment of Waste Water; 7.3 Enzyme Immobilizer; 8 Conclusion; Acknowledgment; References; 4 Geology and Mineralogy of Clays for Nanocomposites: State of Knowledge and Methodology; Abstract; 1 Introduction; 2 Clay-Based Nanocomposites; 3 Clays and Clay Minerals

3.1 Definitions3.2 Classification of Clay Minerals; 3.3 Properties of Clay Minerals; 3.4 Clays Genesis Process; 3.5 Geographical Distribution of Clays; 3.6 The Geological Cycle of Clays; 4 Clay for Nanocomposites; 4.1 Geological Prospecting Clays; 4.2 Purification of Clays; 4.3 Organophilic Modifications of Clays; 5 Conclusion; Acknowledgement; References; 5 Bioplastics and Bionanocomposites Based on Nanoclays and Other Nanofillers; Abstract; 1 Introduction; 2 Bioplastics; 2.1 Cellulose Based Nanofillers; 2.2 Carbon Nanotubes; 2.3 Nanoclays; 3 Nanocomposites from Renewable Resources