Andromeda Metals files patent for conversion of halloysite-kaolin into nanomaterials – Proactive Investors Australia

The patent covers the conversion process for halloysite and halloysite-kaolin into advanced, functionalised carbon nanomaterials.

() is a step closer to producing halloysite-kaolin nanomaterials on a commercial scale, following a patent filed by Natural Nanotech, its research and development entity.

Natural Nanotech, a joint venture half-owned by Andromeda and () respectively, filed a patent covering the conversion process for halloysite and halloysite-kaolin into advanced, functionalised carbon nanomaterials.

Halloysite is a naturally occurring clay material containing oxygen, silicon and aluminium, and can occur mixed with kaolinite, a similar material.

Natural Nanotech recently made a technological breakthrough by producing halloysite-based nanocarbon materials from Andromedas Great White Project halloysite-kaolin.

Andromeda managing director James Marsh said the patent application was an important step towards its vision of becoming the worlds leading supplier of high-grade halloysite-kaolin.

The research with the University of Newcastles Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials (GICAN) and the resultant patent filing addresses the need for improved methods for the fabrication of nanoporous carbon materials having high specific surface area, large pore volume and improved surface functionalities, he said.

Most importantly, it delivers these major advances utilising a low-cost and naturally available, benign clay material precursor, while protecting the potentially very valuable intellectual property for the benefit of all ADN and MEP shareholders.

Applications for nanomaterials based on Andromeda halloysite-kaolin include carbon capture and conversion, energy storage, hydrogen storage and transport and water purification.

Natural Nanotech was formed to investigate advanced nanotechnology applications utilising halloysite and halloysite-kaolin-sourced nanomaterials; it has been working with GICAN for several years on high-tech applications for halloysite, which are natural clay nanotubes, sourced from the Great White Kaolin Joint Ventures high-grade halloysite-kaolin deposits in South Australia.

Andromeda and Minotaur are putting $1 million a year into Natural Nanotech to facilitate the commercialisation of exciting new, potentially high-value technologies based on halloysite-kaolin from the Great White Project.

Excellent results are being obtained from the existing resource at the project by using refined material, purified to improve performance, with work to incorporate recently identified zones of much higher natural purity proceeding in parallel.

A large-scale industrial kaolin processing centrifuge was recently obtained from Europe and is being installed at the Streaky Bay pilot plant; once commissioned it will be used to produce large quantities of high-purity halloysite from specially selected feedstock.

The patent application covers the processing pathways for conversion of the natural clay nanotube halloysite and halloysite-kaolinite admixtures of varying proportions, into selectively functionalised and chemically activated carbon nanomaterials.

Selective functionalisation refers to intended high technology uses for the nanomaterials, with positive signs seen so far for selective CO2 adsorption and for specific capacitance and energy storage.

Ongoing optimisation of the process continues for hydrogen storage, water and wastewater treatment and agricultural applications.

Great White Project halloysite-derived nanomaterials have enormous surface area per unit weight, a porous nature and differential charge capabilities between inner and outer surfaces.

The patent filing documents how run-of-mine halloysite-kaolin nanoclays comprised of a mixture of flaky and tubular morphology can be converted into carbon nanomaterials through a solid-state templating, doping and activation process to fabricate activated porous nanocarbon materials for the specific applications.

Minotaur director of research and development Dr Tony Belperio explained the next steps.

A carbon capture pilot plant now under construction will rigorously assess the efficacy of the carbon nanomaterials for commercial-scale application in carbon capture and utilisation, he said.

- Daniel Paproth

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Andromeda Metals files patent for conversion of halloysite-kaolin into nanomaterials - Proactive Investors Australia