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Sepiolite nanofibers were prepared by high-speed air current superfine technique, using natural sepiolite samples as raw materials. Through characterization by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic contact angle meter and tensiometer (DCAMT) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR), it was found that the defibered sepiolite nanofibers with an average diameter of about 100 nm and length greater than 9 microm had a better far infrared emitting performance than acid-purified sepiolite as the contrast sample, and the defibering treatment led to the improvement of far infrared emitting performance of sepiolite due to the increase of surface free energy, the increase of infrared active bond vibrations, and the decrease of cell volume caused by the distortion of structural channel.

Theoretical research and specific surface area analysis of nitrogen adsorption indicated that a lot of structural micropores exist in sepiolite minerals fibers. However, the microporous size, existing form, and the distribution relationship between microporous structures were not proved yet. In this paper, the section TEM samples of nanofibers were prepared on the basis of the metal embedding and cutting technique, and the inner structure of sepiolite nanofibers was observed by TEM. The results showed that sepiolite fibers have multiplayer structure similar to concentric circles, and many micropores with the size of about 2-5 nm are normal and parallel to the c-axis. The reason for the previously mentioned phenomenon was explained by using BET analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis results.

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