Exfoliated clay/surfactant complex for inhibiting microorganisms, viruses or plant pests

Abstract

The present invention provides an exfoliated clay/surfactant complex for inhibiting microorganisms, viruses or plant pests. The weight ratio of the exfoliated clay to the surfactant can range from 99/1 to 1/99. Preferably, the exfoliated clay is an inorganic layered clay on a nano scale and the surfactant is cationic, nonionic, anionic or amphoteric.

1 . An exfoliated clay/surfactant complex for inhibiting microorganisms, viruses or plant pests; wherein:
 the weight ratio of the exfoliated clay to the surfactant is 99/1 to 1/99;   the exfoliated clay is an inorganic layered clay on a nano scale; and   the surfactant is a cationic, nonionic, anionic or amphoteric surfactant.   
     
     
         2 . The exfoliated clay/surfactant complex of  claim 1 , wherein the exfoliated clay is nanosilicate platelets (NSPs). 
     
     
         3 . The exfoliated clay/surfactant complex of  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is a cationic surfactant and selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium salt of a fatty amine having 12 to 32 carbon atoms and quaternary ammonium chloride of a fatty amine having 12 to 32 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         4 . The exfoliated clay/surfactant complex of  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is a cationic surfactant and selected from the group consisting of ammonium chloride of tallow having 12 to 18 carbon atoms or ammonium chloride of hydrogenated tallow, quaternary ammonium salt of octadecyl fatty amine, octadecyl ammonium chloride or alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. 
     
     
         5 . The exfoliated clay/surfactant complex of  claim 1 , wherein the cationic surfactant is alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. 
     
     
         6 . The exfoliated clay/surfactant complex of  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is a cationic surfactant and selected from the group consisting of octylphenol polyethoxylate and polyoxyethylene alkyl ether. 
     
     
         7 . The exfoliated clay/surfactant complex of  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is a cationic surfactant and selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene stearylcetyl ether, sorbitan esters of fatty acids, polysorbates, alkylphenol ethoxylates, nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOs), and fatty alcohol ethoxylates. 
     
     
         8 . A method for producing an exfoliated clay/surfactant complex of  claim 1 , the method comprises mixing the exfoliated clay and the surfactant in a solvent to form the complex. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the exfoliated clay and the surfactant are respectively dissolved in the solvent, and then mixed to form the complex. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the solvent is water.