Self-assembly of nano and micro-scaled materials present an avenue for simple yet elegant formations. Such self-assembled structures make them good candidates for potential industrial applications. We have integrated assembly of nano-scaled tubes onto a biological surface. Naturally formed, biocompatible halloysite clay tubes have been assembled onto hair surface as a robust 1-3 µm thick coating lasting not less than 10 shampoo washes. Simple washing with aqueous dispersion of halloysite deposits these tubes beneath the flap-like cuticles on hair. Halloysite tubes are sheets of single layer of dioctahedral 1:1 aluminosilicate kaolin rolled into tubes with external diameters ranging from 50-80 nm internal diameters of 15-20 nm and lengths of 0.4 -1.5 microns. The lumen of halloysite acts as a storage and sustained release conduit for molecules, such as drugs and dye. In addition to hydrophilic molecules, hydrophobic drugs/colors can also be loaded into the lumen with selective hydrophobisation of the inner lumen surface, thereby allowing us to deliver them directly onto the hair surface. The utilization of such chemically-loaded halloysite on hair ranges from anti-lice, anti-fungal and hair loss treatments to hair coloring. Coloring hair through the assembly of halloysite loaded with dyes (including water insoluble colors) bypasses the use of harmful alkaline chemicals.<br/>Possibility to load clay nanotubes with colors / drugs from organic (non-water) solutions and their aqueous based assembly in multilayer coating on a cuticle surface is an important feature allowing for usage in coloring dyes/drugs earlier not applicable in hair care.

Clay nanotube self-assembly on hair surfaces: Formulation for medical and hair color treatments

255th National Meeting (2018)

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