Fundamental and applied research on clay minerals: From climate and environment to nanotechnology

• Briefs recent trends in clay mineral research and development.
• Introduces papers in the special issue in the context of current research trends.
• Links environmental uses of clays with clay genesis and properties for industry.
• Outlines methods to modify clay minerals as adsorbent, catalyst, and biomaterial.

This brief overview comments on recent trends in scientific research and development of clay minerals and was stimulated by the compilation of papers for this special issue to pay tribute to the 34th International Geological Congress held in 2012. The essentially geological context of the conference was a reminder that increased understanding of the genesis and evolution of clays and clay minerals provides insights that have applications in mining, environmental management, paleoclimate, Earth and extraterrestrial sciences. The requirement for multidisciplinary knowledge, including geology, mineralogy, chemistry and materials science, and modern instrumentation and analysis of clay minerals, is essential to a full understanding of the genesis, role and potential new uses for these fine-grained industrial minerals. Latest studies are typically focused on processing and modifying of clay minerals as adsorbents, catalysts, and biomaterials. The emphasis for future work is on advanced clay-based nanomaterials for use in new approaches to sustainable energy, green environment, and human health.

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