Novel architectures in porous materials based on clays

Modification of layered clays in view to develop porous materials, mainly for catalytic applications, has been afforded in the past via intercalation reaction of aluminum and other polyoxycations or through generation of mesoporous silica between the layers of the silicate. In this paper it is introduced examples of an alternative route for the preparation of porous nanoarchitectures based on the sol–gel method that profits from the swelling ability of organoclays in organic solvents to incorporate silicon and/or other metal (e.g., Ti, Al,…) alkoxides in the interlayer region of the silicates where they are hydrolyzed in a controlled manner. Their further polycondensation originates the formation of an oxide matrix and after a thermal treatment is possible the consolidation of oxide nanoparticles between delaminated smectites and vermiculites. It is also showed how this colloidal route can be applied to the generation of oxide nanoparticles bonded to the external surface of fibrous clays, such as sepiolite. Finally, it is also summarized with various examples the potential interest of the resulting porous clay nanoarchitecture materials in applications as acid catalysts, photocatalysts or nanofillers in polymer–clay nanocomposites.