The editors have gathered in this book, reviews of past and current studies of mineral groups that have played important roles in geology, environmental science and health science. The various chapters cover the application of TEM and related techniques to: mineral groups in which TEM investigations have been extensive and crucial to the understanding of their mineralogy, namely pyriboles, serpentines, clays, micas and other metamorphic phyllosilicates, oxides and oxyhydroxides, sulfides and carbonates. Some research fields for which TEM is particularly suitable and which have produced significant advances, in particular, are inclusions and traces, extraterrestrial material, deformation processes, non-stoichiometry and superstructures, and biominerals. Nowadays, we are witnessing the push for the improvement of detectors for imaging (direct detection of electrons) and X-rays (silicon drift detectors and annular high solid-angle of collection detectors), the development of new support materials (e.g. graphene) and liquid cells for TEMs. Most of these new technologies have not yet been applied to mineralogical problems but we hope they will be in the near future.

The first transmission electron microscope (TEM) was built in the 1930s for which the inventor Ernst Ruska received a Nobel prize for Physics in 1986. Since those early years, Mineralogy has played an important role in the development of TEM methods and technology.

Mineral additives are widespread in industrial manufacturing processes. So-called mineral fillers are used to extend raw materials and cut costs. Recently minerals and associated inorganics have frequently been used for their functionality and other mineral-specific qualities. The emergence of nanoscale minerals parallels the global pursuit of nanotechnology. The use of these minerals plays an important role in low-cost, high-performance application of nanotechnology. This 21-chapter compilation is for mineral suppliers, industrial users of mineral fillers, and those concerned with new trends in mineral processing and nanotechnology. Contributions by leading international researchers highlight the emerging markets and applications of functional fillers and nanoscale minerals.

Nanomaterials from Clay Minerals: A New Approach to Green Functional Materials details the structure, properties and modification of natural nanoscale clay minerals and their application as the green constituent of functional materials. Natural nanomaterials from clay minerals have diverse morphologies, from 1D to 3D, including nanorods, nanofibers, nanotubes, nanosheets and nanopores. These structures show excellent adsorption, reinforcing, supporter, electronic, catalytic and biocompatible properties and are great as sustainable alternatives for toxic or expensive artificial materials. This book provides systematic coverage of clay nanomaterials as eco-friendly resources, emphasizing the importance of such materials in a range of industries, including biomedicine, energy and electronics. This book will provide an important reference for materials scientists and engineers who have an interest in sustainable material development. Presents systematic coverage of a broad range of nanomaterials from clay minerals, including Kaolinite, Smectite and Halloysite Depicts use cases for each mineral in a variety of applications, such as drug delivery, agriculture, and in the reinforcement of polymer materials Provides an overview on the advantages and limitations of nanomaterials from clay minerals, as well as chapters on the future potential of such materials

Reactions at mineral surfaces are central to all geochemical processes. As minerals comprise the rocks of the Earth, the processes occurring at the mineral-aqueous fluid interface control the evolution of the rocks and hence the structure of the crust of the Earth during processes such as metamorphism, metasomatism, and weathering. In recent years focus has been concentrated on mineral surface reactions made possible through the development of advanced analytical methods such as atomic force microscopy (AFM), advanced electron microscopies (SEM and TEM), phase shift interferometry, confocal Raman spectroscopy, and advanced synchrotron-based applications, to enable mineral surfaces to be imaged and analyzed at the nanoscale. Experiments are increasingly complemented by molecular simulations to confirm or predict the results of these studies. This has enabled new and exciting possibilities to elucidate the mechanisms that govern mineral-fluid reactions. In this Special Issue, “Mineral Surface Reactions at the Nanoscale”, we present 12 contributions that highlight the role and importance of mineral surfaces in varying fields of research.

Reactions at mineral surfaces are central to all geochemical processes. As minerals comprise the rocks of the Earth, the processes occurring at the mineral–aqueous fluid interface control the evolution of the rocks and hence the structure of the crust of the Earth during processes such as metamorphism, metasomatism, and weathering. In recent years focus has been concentrated on mineral surface reactions made possible through the development of advanced analytical methods such as atomic force microscopy (AFM), advanced electron microscopies (SEM and TEM), phase shift interferometry, confocal Raman spectroscopy, and advanced synchrotron-based applications, to enable mineral surfaces to be imaged and analyzed at the nanoscale. Experiments are increasingly complemented by molecular simulations to confirm or predict the results of these studies. This has enabled new and exciting possibilities to elucidate the mechanisms that govern mineral–fluid reactions. In this Special Issue, “Mineral Surface Reactions at the Nanoscale”, we present 12 contributions that highlight the role and importance of mineral surfaces in varying fields of research.

In 2018, the International Symposium on Nanogeoscience was held in Guiyang, China. Scholars from around the globe gathered to discuss recent progress and development trends in various aspects of nanogeoscience, including nanomineralogy. Nanomineralogy, an important aspect of nanogeoscience, focuses on the composition, structure, and physical and chemical properties of nanoscale minerals and their interrelations with other Earth critical components. To give a sampling of the latest progress in nanomineralogy and related fields, we offer this Special Issue, which describes a full range of recent nanomineralogic achievements relating to everything from nanominerals and geochemistry, mineral nanostructures, and nanomineral deformation, to nanopores in oil and gas reservoirs, nanomineral deposits, and nanomineral material. Today, nanomineralogy faces a new strategic opportunity as well as a revolutionary challenge. We thus present this special nanomineralogy-focused issue of Minerals with the aim of encouraging our colleagues to familiarize themselves with current developments, trends, and directions in nanomineralogy, enabling an understanding of the potential of the field as a whole. We look forward to developing further scientific research and cooperation in nanomineralogy, hoping thereby to attract and guide young scholars to participate in this field.