In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for making an inorganic thermoset resin, the method comprising: (a) mixing SiO.sub.2, H.sub.2O and a metallic hydroxide for generating an alkaline aqueous solution with pH from 10 to 14 comprising a metallic silicate, wherein said metallic hydroxide generates a first metallic oxide in the aqueous solution, (b) adding aluminum oxide (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) and silicon oxide (SiO.sub.2) to the alkaline aqueous solution comprising a metallic silicate generated in step (a) and (c) adding halloysite nanotubes (Al.sub.2Si.sub.2O.sub.5(OH).sub.4) to the solution generated in step (b).

The present disclosure further provides an inorganic thermoset resin obtainable by the method as defined in the first aspect of the disclosure.

In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for making an inorganic thermoset resin, the method comprising: (a) mixing SiO.sub.2, H.sub.2O and a metallic hydroxide for generating an alkaline aqueous solution with pH from 10 to 14 comprising a metallic silicate, wherein said metallic hydroxide generates a first metallic oxide in the aqueous solution, (b) adding aluminum oxide (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) and silicon oxide (SiO.sub.2) to the alkaline aqueous solution comprising a metallic silicate generated in step (a) and (c) adding halloysite nanotubes (Al.sub.2Si.sub.2O.sub.5(OH).sub.4) to the solution generated in step (b).

The present disclosure further provides an inorganic thermoset resin obtainable by the method as defined in the first aspect of the disclosure.

A composition includes flakes of mineral or plant-based wool, a powdered mineral binder and a water-repellent agent.

A porous ceramic particle includes a porous portion and a dense layer. The porous portion has a plate-like shape and a pair of main surfaces in parallel with each other. The dense layer has porosity lower than that of the porous portion and covers at least one main surface among the pair of main surfaces of the porous portion. A portion of a surface of the porous portion, which is other than the pair of main surfaces, is exposed from the dense layer. It is thereby possible to provide a porous ceramic particle of low thermal conductivity and low heat capacity.

A porous ceramic particle includes a porous portion and a dense layer. The porous portion has a plate-like shape and a pair of main surfaces in parallel with each other. The dense layer has porosity lower than that of the porous portion and covers at least one main surface among the pair of main surfaces of the porous portion. A portion of a surface of the porous portion, which is other than the pair of main surfaces, is exposed from the dense layer. It is thereby possible to provide a porous ceramic particle of low thermal conductivity and low heat capacity.

A nanostructure is provided that in one embodiment includes a cluster of cylindrical bodies. Each of the cylindrical bodies in the cluster are substantially aligned with one another so that their lengths are substantially parallel. The composition of the cylindrical bodies include tungsten (W) and sulfur (S), and each of the cylindrical bodies has a geometry with at least one dimension that is in the nanoscale. Each cluster of cylindrical bodies may have a width dimension ranging from 0.2 microns to 5.0 microns, and a length greater than 5.0 microns. In some embodiments, the cylindrical bodies are composed of tungsten disulfide (WS2). In another embodiment the nanolog is a particle comprised of external concentric disulfide layers which encloses internal disulfide folds and regions of oxide. Proportions between disulfide and oxide can be tailored by thermal treatment and/or extent of initial synthesis reaction.

A nanostructure is provided that in one embodiment includes a cluster of cylindrical bodies. Each of the cylindrical bodies in the cluster are substantially aligned with one another so that their lengths are substantially parallel. The composition of the cylindrical bodies include tungsten (W) and sulfur (S), and each of the cylindrical bodies has a geometry with at least one dimension that is in the nanoscale. Each cluster of cylindrical bodies may have a width dimension ranging from 0.2 microns to 5.0 microns, and a length greater than 5.0 microns. In some embodiments, the cylindrical bodies are composed of tungsten disulfide (WS2). In another embodiment the nanolog is a particle comprised of external concentric disulfide layers which encloses internal disulfide folds and regions of oxide. Proportions between disulfide and oxide can be tailored by thermal treatment and/or extent of initial synthesis reaction.

The present invention describes the preparation of nanotubes made from portlandite, the naturally occurring form of calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH).sub.2. Portlandite nanotubes are obtained by a process comprising the following steps: a) reacting calcium chloride with calcium oxide in aqueous solution, thus obtaining an aqueous dispersion; b) feeding as such the aqueous dispersion obtained in step a) to a hydrothermal reaction, thus obtaining portlandite nanotubes. The invention also concerns the use of the portlandite nanotubes as a component for cementitious compositions to provide reinforced mortar or concrete.

The present invention describes the preparation of nanotubes made from portlandite, the naturally occurring form of calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH).sub.2. Portlandite nanotubes are obtained by a process comprising the following steps: a) reacting calcium chloride with calcium oxide in aqueous solution, thus obtaining an aqueous dispersion; b) feeding as such the aqueous dispersion obtained in step a) to a hydrothermal reaction, thus obtaining portlandite nanotubes. The invention also concerns the use of the portlandite nanotubes as a component for cementitious compositions to provide reinforced mortar or concrete.

A method of producing a nanosilica-containing cement formulation, the method comprising the steps of mixing an amount of a determinant nanosilica particle and a functional coating; applying a dynamic initiator to trigger a reversible reaction of the functional coating to produce a reversible cage, where the reversible cage surrounds the determinant nanosilica particle to produce an encapsulated nanosilica; and mixing the encapsulated nanosilica and a cement formulation to produce the nanosilica-containing cement formulation.