Gelation Properties of Nano-tube Imogolite: Potential Application as Herbal Delivery Material

Abstract

Imogolite is known as variable charge aluminosilicate mineral which physicochemical properties depend on the pH solution. Dispersion and gelation properties can be adjust by change in pH solution. However, the effect of solvent on the physicochemical properties of imogolite is almost no information. Here, we studied on effect of length tube imogolite and type of solvent on its dispersion and gelation behavior. Guava extract has been used as herbal model and loaded into imogolite suspension.These results obtained important information that the length of the tube imogolite greatly affects the quality of the gel formed. The changes in the distribution of solvent polarity in certain level will affect the force of inter-surface repulsion in imogolite. Under organic solvent, formation of the gelation is not influenced by the pH solution. The obtained data is interesting because until now there is no information on the dispersion and gelation properties of imogolite in the organic solvent. Furthermore, gelation of imogolite is easily formed by addition of extract herbal into imogolite suspension. Therefore, imogolite can be used as herbal delivery material.