OICC Press International Nano Letters 2228-5326 7 3 (September 2017) 2017 07 21 A facile method to modify bentonite nanoclay with silane 10.1007/s40089-017-0214-2 EN Sujani B. Y. Abeywardena Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa, LK Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (Pvt) Ltd, Nanotechnology and Science Park, Homagama, LK Srimala Perera Division of Polymer, Textile and Chemical Engineering Technology, Institute of Technology, University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa, LK K. M. Nalin de Silva Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (Pvt) Ltd, Nanotechnology and Science Park, Homagama, LK Department of Chemistry, University of Colombo, Colombo, LK Nadeeka P. Tissera Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (Pvt) Ltd, Nanotechnology and Science Park, Homagama, LK Journal Article 2017 07 21 Abstract Immobilization of smectite clay onto a desirable surface has received much attention, since its nanospace can be utilized for many applications in material science. Here, we present an efficient method to functionalize surface of bentonite nanoclay (BNC) through the grafting of 3-aminotriethoxysilane (APTES). Infrared spectroscopy and elemental analysis confirmed the presence of organic chains and amine groups in modified nanoclay. XRD analysis confirmed grafting of APTES on the surface of bentonite nanoclay without intercalation. The accomplishment of the surface modification was quantitatively proved by TGA analysis. Modified BNC can covalently couple with different material surfaces, allowing its nanospace to be utilized for intercalation of cations, bio-molecules, and polymeric materials, to be used in advanced military aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and many other commercial applications.