Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Plant Science Today (PST)

Review Articles

Vol. 12 No. sp1 (2025): Recent Advances in Agriculture by Young Minds - II

Insights of nanoclay as a soil conditioner: Enhancing soil physical properties for sustainable soil health

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.10482
Submitted
6 July 2025
Published
07-10-2025

Abstract

Nanoclays are clay minerals of extremely small particle sizes, typically in the nanometer range, that have emerged as a versatile tool in agriculture due to their unique properties such as high aspect ratio with layered structure, adsorption and ion-exchange capacity. Moreover, Nanoclays are identified as a potential nanocarrier for controlled release of nutrients, while they can also be used as a soil amendment to improve soil properties. This review examines the potential of nanoclay application to improve the physical properties of various soil types. The paper explores how nanoclay additions influence dispersive soils, soft soils, clay and silt soils and coarse-grained soils. Studies on the impact of nanoclay on key physical properties like shear strength, water retention, consistency limits, density, plasticity limit, stability and susceptibility to wind erosion are addressed. The underlying mechanisms by which nanoclay modifies soil behaviour are discussed, focusing on factors like particle interaction, pore space reduction and improved aggregation. Additionally, the review underscores the potential of nanoclay as a sustainable strategy for geotechnical engineering applications and soil erosion control. However, the application of nanoclay in agricultural soils is still in its early stages, with limited large-scale field validation. Understanding its interactions with different soil types and environmental conditions is critical for optimizing its use to bridge knowledge gaps and support the development of nanoclay-based soil management practices.

References

  1. 1. Narkhede S, Bhirud S, Patil N, Chaudhari R. Physico-chemical analysis of soil collected from Chorwad, Tehsil-Bhusawal, Dist. Jalgaon (MS). J Chem Pharm Res. 2011;9(4):1973-78
  2. 2. Tale KS, Ingole S. A review on role of physico-chemical properties in soil quality. Chem Sci Rev Lett. 2015;4(13):57-66.
  3. 3. Sumithra S, Ankalaiah C, Rao D, Yamuna R. A case study on physicochemical characteristics of soil around industrial and agricultural area of Yerraguntla, Kadapa district, AP, India. Int J Geo Earth Environ Sci. 2013;3(2):28-34.
  4. 4. Das D. Introduction to soil science. New Delhi: Kalyani Publication; 2011. p. 645.
  5. 5. Anderson GC, Barrett-Lennard EG. Management of soil constraints to improve crop performance in water-limited environments. Agronomy. 2021;11(12):2558. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11122558
  6. 6. Nongbet A, Mishra AK, Mohanta YK, Mahanta S, Ray MK, Khan M et al. Nanofertilizers: a smart and sustainable attribute to modern agriculture. Plants. 2022;11(19):2587. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11192587
  7. 7. Ghasabkolaei N, Choobbasti AJ, Roshan N, Ghasemi SE. Geotechnical properties of the soils modified with nanomaterials: A comprehensive review. Arch Civ Mech Eng. 2017;17(3):639-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acme.2017.01.010
  8. 8. Lambe TW, Whitman RV. Soil mechanics. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; 1969. p. 553.
  9. 9. Zhang G. Soil nanoparticles and their influence on engineering properties of soils. In: DeGroot DJ, Vipulanandan C, Yamamuro JA, Kaliakin VN, Lade PV, Zeghal M et al., editors. Advances in measurement and modeling of soil behavior. Reston, VA: ASCE Press; 2007. p. 1-13.
  10. 10. Shahidi M, Asemi F, Farrokhi F. Improving the mechanical behavior of soil contaminated with Gas-Oil using organoclay and nanoclay. Arab J Sci Eng. 2023;48(4):4953-69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-022-07239-w
  11. 11. Delgado A, Gomez JA. The soil: Physical, chemical and biological properties. In: Principles of agronomy for sustainable agriculture. Cham, Switzerland: Springer; 2017. p. 15-26. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-46116-8_2
  12. 12. Brady NC, Weil RR. The nature and properties of soils. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall; 2008.
  13. 13. Cleophas F, Isidore F, Musta B, Ali BM, Mahali M, Zahari N et al. Effect of soil physical properties on soil infiltration rates. J Phys Conf Ser. 2022;2314:012020. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2314/1/012020
  14. 14. Sainju UM, Liptzin D, Jabro JD. Relating soil physical properties to other soil properties and crop yields. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):22025. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-26619-8
  15. 15. Patnaik L, Raut D, Behera L, Nayak A, Misha S, Swain S. Physico-chemical and heavy metal characterization of soil from industrial belt of Cuttack, Orissa. Asian J Exp Biol Sci. 2013;4(2):219-25.
  16. 16. Kay BD, Angers DA. Soil Structure. In: Sumner ME, editor. Handbook of Soil Science. New York: CRC Press; 1999. p. 229-69.
  17. 17. Phogat V, Tomar V, Dahiya R. Soil physical properties. In: Soil science: An introduction. 2015. p. 135-71.
  18. 18. Al-saeedi AA. Clay basics and their physical and chemical properties. IAETS J Adv Res Appl Sci. 2022;10:13-8.
  19. 19. Guggenheim S, Martin RT. Definition of clay and clay mineral: joint report of the AIPEA nomenclature and CMS nomenclature committees. Clays Clay Miner. 1995;43(2):255-6. https://doi.org/10.1346/CCMN.1995.0430213
  20. 20. Brigatti MF, Galan E, Theng BKG. Structures and mineralogy of clay minerals. Developments in Clay Science. 2006;1:19-86. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1572-4352(05)01002-0
  21. 21. Guggenheim S, Brady J, Mogk D, Perkins D. Introduction to the properties of clay minerals. In: Brady JB, Mogk DW, Perkins D, editors. Teaching Mineralogy. Washington, DC: Mineralogical Society of America; 1997. p. 371-88.
  22. 22. Nazir MS, Mohamad Kassim MH, Mohapatra L, Gilani MA, Raza MR, Majeed K. Characteristic properties of nanoclays and characterization of nanoparticulates and nanocomposites. In: Jawaid M, Qaiss A, Bouhfid R, editors. Nanoclay Reinforced Polymer Composites. Singapore: Springer; 2016. p. 35-55. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1953-1_2
  23. 23. Merino D, Tomadoni B, Salcedo MF, Mansilla AY, Casalongué CA, Alvarez VA. Nanoclay as carriers of bioactive molecules applied to agriculture. In: Kharissova OV, Torres-Martínez LM, Kharisov BI, editors. Handbook of nanomaterials and nanocomposites for energy and environmental applications. Cham, Switzerland: Springer; 2020. p. 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11155-7_62-1
  24. 24. Pavlidou S, Papaspyrides C. A review on polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites. Prog Polym Sci. 2008;33(12):1119-98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2008.07.008
  25. 25. Uddin F. Clays, nanoclays and montmorillonite minerals. Metall Mater Trans A. 2008;39(12):2804-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-008-9603-5
  26. 26. Bergaya F, Lagaly G. General introduction: clays, clay minerals and clay science. Developments in Clay Science. 2013;5:1-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-098258-8.00001-8
  27. 27. Norkhairunnisa M, Farid B, Hua TC. Flame retardant nanofillers and its behavior in polymer nanocomposite. In: Hoque ME, Ramar K, Sharif A, editors. Advanced polymer nanocomposites. Woodhead Publishing; 2022. p. 483-511. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824492-0.00018-0
  28. 28. Carretero MI. Clay minerals and their beneficial effects upon human health: A review. Appl Clay Sci. 2002;21(3-4):155-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-1317(01)00085-0
  29. 29. Abd-Elsalam KA, Mehmood MA, Ashfaq M, Abdelkhalek TE, Hassan RK, Ravichandran M. Liquid nanoclay: Synthesis and applications to transform an arid desert into fertile land. Soil Syst. 2024;8(3):73. https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems8030073
  30. 30. Nayak BK, Chatterjee D, Paul R, Das SR, Adak T, Mandal N et al. Review of nano-clay polymer composites for controlled nitrogen release: prospects and limitations. Agric Res. 2025:1-22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40003-025-00848-5
  31. 31. Belghazdis M, Hachem E-K. Clay and clay minerals: A detailed review. Int J Recent Technol Appl Sci. 2022;4(2):54-75. https://doi.org/10.36079/lamintang.ijortas-0402.367
  32. 32. Lazzara G, Massaro M, Riela S. Current status of nanoclay phytotoxicity. In: Phytotoxicity of nanoparticles. 2018. p. 151-74. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-76708-6_6
  33. 33. Massaro M, Lazzara G, Milioto S, Noto R, Riela S. Covalently modified halloysite clay nanotubes: Synthesis, properties, biological and medical applications. J Mater Chem B. 2017;5(16):2867-82. https://doi.org/10.1039/C7TB00316a
  34. 34. Kumari N, Mohan C. Basics of clay minerals and their characteristic properties. In: Do Nascimento GM, editor. Clay and clay minerals. London: IntechOpen; 2021. p. 1-24. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.97672
  35. 35. Khatoon N, Chu MQ, Zhou CH. Nanoclay-based drug delivery systems and their therapeutic potentials. J Mater Chem B. 2020;8(33):7335-51. https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TB01031f
  36. 36. Kang H-Y. A review of the emerging nanotechnology industry: Materials, fabrications and applications. California: Department of Toxic Substances Control Pollution Prevention and Green Technology; 2010. p. 64.
  37. 37. Schartel B, Knoll U, Hartwig A, Pütz D. Phosphonium-modified layered silicate epoxy resins nanocomposites and their combinations with ATH and organo-phosphorus fire retardants. Polym Adv Technol. 2006;17(4):281-93. https://doi.org/10.1002/pat.686
  38. 38. Sedighi M, Farhadian H. The role of nanoclay in the soil stabilization: A short viewpoint. J Geomine. 2023;1(2):92-102.
  39. 39. Usman MS, Zowalaty MEE, Shameli K, Zainuddin N, Salama M, Ibrahim NA. Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial properties of copper nanoparticles. Int J Nanomedicine. 2013;8:4467-79. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S50837
  40. 40. Francucci G, Rodriguez E, Rodriguez ME. Ultrasound-assisted extrusion compounding of nano clay/polypropylene nano compounds. Polymers. 2024;16(17):2426. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16172426
  41. 41. Sanchez C, Julián B, Belleville P, Popall M. Applications of hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposites. J Mater Chem. 2005;15(35-36):3559-92. https://doi.org/10.1039/b509097k
  42. 42. Ryu K-W, Jang Y-N, Chae S-C. Hydrothermal synthesis of kaolinite and its formation mechanism. Clays Clay Miner. 2010;58:44-51. https://doi.org/10.1346/CCMN.2010.0580104
  43. 43. Kielmann U, Jeschke G, García-Rubio I. Structural characterization of polymer-clay nanocomposites prepared by co-precipitation using EPR techniques. Materials. 2014;7(2):1384-408. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7021384
  44. 44. He H, Zhou Q, Martens WN, Kloprogge TJ, Yuan P, Xi Y et al. Microstructure of HDTMA+-modified montmorillonite and its influence on sorption characteristics. Clays Clay Miner. 2006;54(6):689-96. https://doi.org/10.1346/CCMN.2006.0540604
  45. 45. Vincevica-Gaile Z, Teppand T, Kriipsalu M, Krievans M, Jani Y, Klavins M et al. Towards sustainable soil stabilization in peatlands: Secondary raw materials as an alternative. Sustainability. 2021;13(12):6726. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126726
  46. 46. Ghorbani R, Wilcockson S, Koocheki A, Leifert C. Soil management for sustainable crop disease control: a review. Environ Chem Lett. 2008;6:149-62. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-008-0147-0
  47. 47. Thom N, Dawson A. Sustainable road design: Promoting recycling and non-conventional materials. Sustainability. 2019;11(21):6106. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11216106
  48. 48. Zahri AM, Zainorabidin A, editors. An overview of traditional and non traditional stabilizer for soft soil. IOP Conf Ser Mater Sci Eng. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/527/1/012015
  49. 49. Sharifnasab H, Abbasi N. Effect of nanoclay particles on some physical and mechanical properties of soils. J Agric Mach. 2016;6(1):250-8.
  50. 50. Bagherzadeh Khalkhali A, Safarzadeh I, Rahimi Manbar H. Investigating the effect of nanoclay additives on the geotechnical properties of clay and silt soil. J Civ Eng Mater Appl. 2019;3(2):65-77.
  51. 51. Padidar M, Jalalian A, Abdouss M, Najafi P, Honarjoo N, Fallahzade J. Effects of nanoclay on some physical properties of sandy soil and wind erosion. Int J Soil Sci. 2016;11(1):9-13. https://doi.org/10.3923/ijss.2016.9.13
  52. 52. Kamgar R, Salimi Naghani M, Heidarzadeh H, Nasiri Ardali F. Modeling nanoclay effects on different parameters of a clayey sand. Model Earth Syst Environ. 2021;7:795-808. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-020-00987-4
  53. 53. Padidar M, Jalalian A, Asgari K, Abdouss M, Najafi P, Honarjoo N et al. The impacts of nanoclay on sandy soil stability and atmospheric dust control. Agric Conspectus Sci. 2016;81(4):193-6.
  54. 54. Baziar M, Ghazi H, Mirkazemi S, editors. Effect of nanoclay additives on the properties of engineering-geotechnical soil. In: Proceedings of 4th International Conference on Geotechnical Engineering and Soil Mechanics; 2010. Tehran.
  55. 55. Michael OM, Hirpaya J. Influence of coarse-grained sand on shear strength of lateritic soil. Int J Pure Appl Sci. 2020;19(9):396-407.
  56. 56. Janalizadeh A, Nazarpoor H, Ebrahimi M. Effect of nanoclay on permeability of silty sand. In: Proceedings of the 8th National Congress on Civil Engineering; 2014 May 7-8; Babol, Iran. Babol Noshirvani University of Technology; 2014. (in Persian).
  57. 57. Abbasi N, Farjad A, Sepehri S. The use of nanoclay particles for stabilization of dispersive clayey soils. Geotech Geol Eng. 2018;36(1):327-35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-017-0330-9
  58. 58. Majid MA, Ridzuan M, Lim K. Effect of nanoclay filler on mechanical and morphological properties of Napier/ epoxy composites. In: Goh KL, Aswathi MK, De Silva RT, Thomas S, editors. Interfaces in Particle and Fibre Reinforced Composites. Cambridge: Woodhead Publishing; 2020. p. 137-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102665-6.00006-6
  59. 59. Guan H, Zhao Y. Decontamination application of nanoclays. In: Cavallaro G, Fakhrullin R, Pasbakhsh P, editors. Clay nanoparticles. Elsevier; 2020. p. 203-24. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-816783-0.00009-8
  60. 60. Katschnig M, Battisti M. Processing of polymer-nanoclay composites. In: Stephan L, editor. Polymer nanoclay composites. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 2015. p. 53-91. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-29962-6.00003-0
  61. 61. Asakereh A, Avazeh A. The Effect of nano clay on dispersive soil behavior (Case Study of Minab City). Amirkabir J Civ Eng. 2017;49(3):503-12.
  62. 62. Khalid N, Arshad MF, Mukri M, Mohamad K. Influence of nano-soil particles in soft soil stabilization. Electron J Geotech Eng. 2015;20(20):731-8.
  63. 63. Subramani V, Sridevi S. Soil stabilization using nano materials. Int J Res Appl Sci Eng Technol. 2016;4:641-5.
  64. 64. Babu S, Joseph S. Effect of nano materials on properties of soft soil. Int J Sci Res. 2016;5(8):634-7.
  65. 65. Arora A, Singh B, Kaur P. Performance of Nano-particles in stabilization of soil: a comprehensive review. Mater Today Proc. 2019;17:124-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2019.06.409
  66. 66. Arya A, Jain A. A review of geotechnical characteristics of nano-additives treated soils. Int J Adv Res Sci Eng. 2017;6(1):838-43.
  67. 67. George A, Kannan K. Investigation on the geotechnical properties of nano clay treated clayey soil. Int J Res Eng Sci Manag. 2020;3(2):453-5.
  68. 68. Nikookar M, Bahari M, Nikookar H, Arabani M. The strength characteristics of silty soil stabilized using nanoclay. In: Proceedings of the 7th Symposium on Advances in Science & Technology; 2013 Mar 7-8; Bandar-Abbas, Iran.
  69. 69. Ghazi H, Baziar M, Mirkazemi S. Assess of the improvement of the behavior of soil strength in the presence of nanoscale additive. Assas J Sci Technol. 2011:45-50.
  70. 70. Mohamadzadeh Sani A, Arabani M, Haghi AK, Chenari RJ. Effect of nanoclay additive on the geotechnical properties of silty sands. In: Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Geotechnical Engineering and Soil Mechanics; 2010 Nov 2-3; Tehran. (in Persian).
  71. 71. Ouhadi VR, Bakhshalipour H. Impact of nano clays on the behavior properties of collapsible soils. In: Proceedings of the 9th International Congress on Advanced in Civil Engineering; 2010 Sep 27-30; Trabzon, Turkey, Karadeniz Technical University; 2010.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.