Preparation and far infrared emission properties of natural sepiolite nanofibers.

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.