Nano clays are synthesized by the sol-gel method while ethanol and some acids are used as
organic solvents and matrail treatments in the synthesis processes. The X-ray diffraction (XRD)
analysis and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) techniques points out that the obtained
nanopowders possess a well crystallized hydrotalcite – like anionic clay structure. They reveal
that the features of the some dominate kind of clay in particularly montmorillinite (MMT), eillit
(psedu quartz) and kaolinite crystal phases which are dependent on the nature of the organic
solvent and acid treatment materials. After treatment, the obtained results show an emerged
nanoclay with a relatively uniform porous structure with expanding nano clay layers. These
results point out that the nature of the organic solvent and acid treatments are important for
tailoring the textural and porous properties of nano clay nanostructures which can enhances the
structural integrity, and provides a generic framework to construct functionally graded
materials.
