Graphene vs. Carbon Nanotubes: Competitors or Complements?
Graphene and carbon nanotubes are the two most prominent members of the carbon nanomaterial family. Both are built entirely from carbon atoms arranged in hexagonal lattices. Both …
Topic
Fundamentals
What graphene is, how it works, and why it matters
Is Graphene Stronger Than Steel? What the Numbers Actually Mean
If you have read anything about graphene, you have encountered the claim: graphene is 200 times stronger than steel. It appears in virtually every introductory article, investor …
Nanoclay Safety, Handling, and Regulatory Status: What Formulators Must Know
Every new nanoclay user eventually asks the same question: “Is this stuff safe?” The answer is nuanced but ultimately reassuring — nanoclays have one of the strongest …
The Complete Guide to Nanoclay Surface Modification and Organophilization
Natural sodium montmorillonite and most organic polymers don’t mix. The clay surface is hydrophilic, the polymer is hydrophobic, and forcing them together produces a lumpy, …
Montmorillonite vs. Kaolinite vs. Halloysite: How to Choose the Right Nanoclay
Choosing a nanoclay is not like choosing a grade of steel, where you’re picking from a spectrum of the same basic material. Montmorillonite, kaolinite, and halloysite are …
Bentonite, Smectite, Montmorillonite: Sorting Out the Terminology Confusion
If you’ve ever tried to source nanoclay and found yourself confused by suppliers using “bentonite,” “smectite,” and “montmorillonite” as …
What Are Nanoclays? A Plain-Language Guide for Engineers, Formulators, and Buyers
Most engineers and formulators first encounter nanoclays through a frustrating experience: reading academic papers filled with crystallographic notation, obscure mineral names, and …
What Is Graphene? A Complete Guide to the Wonder Material
In 2004, two physicists at the University of Manchester peeled a layer of carbon from a block of graphite using ordinary adhesive tape — and launched a materials revolution. That …