Expansion of Intertubular Mesopores of Imogolite Nanotubes by Thermal Decomposition of an Imogolite-Poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) Composite

Intertubular mesopores of imogolite nanotubes were enlarged by using poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) as an expander. The polyanion was bound electrostatically on the positively charged imogolite nanotubes to form an intertwined composite, which provided expanded intertubular mesopores after heat treatment. The expanded intertubular mesopores are expected to contribute to efficient diffusion.