Highly effective delamination of kaolinite and emergence of a novel nanoclub-like crystal

Abstract

The delamination of kaolinite was performed via the combination of intercalation and sonication. The morphology including shape, size, and crystal structure before and after the treatment were investigated by using XRD, SEM, TEM and SED (selective electron diffraction). The results not only show that the particle size is signifi cantly reduced after short time sonication treatment, such as BET area up to 52.29 m 2 /g after only 1 h sonication treatment, but also indicate that the treated particles keep good crystal structure. A new aluminum silicate nanoclub-like crystal formed after sonication treatment.