Transforming inorganic layered montmorillonite into inorganic–organic hybrid materials for various applications: a brief overview

The covalent grafting of organic components over the surface of montmorillonite clay forming inorganic–organic hybrid materials is reviewed. The synthesis strategies based on the reaction of silanol groups on the clay surface with organosilane reagents and the roles of various reaction parameters in the formulation of these inorganic–organic hybrid materials have been discussed in detail. The multiple potential applications of these hybrid materials in technological applications, such as adsorption of environmental pollutants, nanocomposite synthesis, health care and catalysis, are overviewed briefly in this review.