Halloysite is natural tubular clay suitable as a component of biocompatible nanosystems with specific functionalities. The selective modification of halloysite inner/outer surfaces can be achieved by exploiting supramolecular and covalent interactions resulting in controlled colloidal stability adjusted to the solvent polarity. The functionalized halloysite nanotubes can be employed as reinforcing filler for polymers as well as carriers for the sustained release of active molecules, such as antioxidants, flame-retardants, corrosion inhibitors, biocides and drugs. The tubular morphology makes halloysite a perspective template for core-shell metal supports for mesoporous catalysts. The catalysts can be incorporated with selective and unselective metal binding on the nanotubes' outer surface or in the inner lumens. Micropatterns of self-assembled nanotubes have been realized by the droplet casting method. The selective modification of halloysite has been exploited to increase the nanotubes' ordering in the produced patterns. Pickering emulsions, induced by the self-assembly of halloysite nanotubes on oil-water interface, can be used for petroleum spill bioremediation and catalysis.

埃洛石是一种天然管状粘土，适合作为具有特定功能的生物相容性纳米系统的组成部分。可以通过利用超分子和共价相互作用来实现埃洛石内/外表面的选择性修饰，从而产生可调节的胶体稳定性，该胶体稳定性可调节至溶剂极性。功能化的埃洛石纳米管可用作聚合物的增强填料，以及持续释放活性分子（例如抗氧化剂，阻燃剂，缓蚀剂）的载体，杀菌剂和药物。管状形态使埃洛石成为用于介孔催化剂的核壳金属载体的透视模板。可以在纳米管的外表面或内腔中以选择性和非选择性的金属结合结合催化剂。自组装纳米管的微图案已经通过液滴流延法实现。已经开发了埃洛石的选择性修饰，以增加所产生图案中纳米管的有序性。由埃洛石纳米管在油-水界面上的自组装诱导的Pickering乳液可用于石油泄漏的生物修复和催化。