Halloysite Nanotube (HNT) Composite Fiber
topic
Halloysite nanotubes (HNT, Al₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄, outer diameter 50–70 nm, lumen diameter 15–20 nm, length 0.5–2.0 µm) are naturally occurring aluminosilicate clay minerals that function as nanoscale drug carriers and reinforcing fillers. Drug loading into HNT lumen (aspirin, tetracycline at 10–15 wt% drug content) via vacuum loading (0.01 MPa, 30 min) enables sustained release over 10–100 hours at physiological pH 7.4. Melt-compounded at 5 wt% in PA6 or PLA, HNT increases tensile strength by 20–30% (from 65 to 80–85 MPa), flexural modulus by 25%, and thermal degradation onset temperature by 15–20°C. Biocompatibility confirmed per ISO 10993; naturally occurring mineral status simplifies regulatory pathway versus synthetic nanoparticles. HNT material cost of $3–8/kg is 10–50× lower than CNT, supporting cost-sensitive textile applications.
Role
Low-cost, naturally occurring nanotube filler enabling simultaneous mechanical reinforcement and drug delivery in biomedical textile fibers, offering a regulatory-favorable and cost-competitive alternative to synthetic CNT in drug-eluting wound care and orthopedic textile applications.