A simple
one-step method is presented for fabricating inorganic
nanosponges with a kaolinite [Al2Si2O5(OH)4] structure. The nanosponges were synthesized by
the hydrothermal treatment of aluminosilicate gels in an acidic medium
(pH = 2.6) at 220 °C without using organic cross-linking agents,
such as cyclodextrin or polymers. The formation of the nanosponge
morphology was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, and the
assignment of the synthesized aluminosilicates to the kaolinite group
was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. The
effect of the synthesis conditions, in particular, the nature (HCl,
HF, NaOH, and H2O) and pH of the reaction medium (2.6,
7, and 12), as well as the duration of the synthesis (3, 6, and 12
days), on the morphology of aluminosilicates of the kaolinite group
was studied. The sorption capacity of aluminosilicate nanosponges
with respect to cationic (e.g., methylene blue) and anionic (e.g.,
azorubine) dyes in aqueous solutions was studied. The pH sensitivity
of the surface ζ potential of the synthesized nanosponges was
demonstrated. The dependence of the hemolytic activity (the ability
to destroy erythrocytes) of aluminosilicate nanoparticles on the particle
morphology (platy, spherical, and nanosponge) has been identified
for the first time. Aluminosilicate nanosponges were not found to
exhibit hemolytic activity. The prospects of using aluminosilicate
nanosponges to prepare innovative functional materials for ecology
and medicine applications, in particular, as matrices for drug delivery
systems, were identified.