“…Usually, these materials are grouped based on the type of host (i.e., the layered mineral) and guest molecule involved in the interaction. Three main types of functionalized layer silicates can be identified, namely, (i) organoclays, which are layered silicates (typically smectites) bound to an organic molecule (or to an organo-metallic complex) that imparts peculiar properties to the modified minerals; − (ii) pillared clays, which are layered silicates intercalated with small organic or inorganic complexes (i.e., “pillars”), partially filling the interlayer space; − and (iii) clay mineral-nanocomposites, which are fine-particulate materials, heterogeneous at the nanoscale level, made at least from one clay mineral and from other materials such as polymers, pharmaceuticals, inorganic molecules, or carbon. − …”