This work deals with the preparation of novel photocatalysts based on the assembly of ZnO nanoparticles on the surface of sepiolite (Sep) fibrous clay mineral, which can be previously modified by treatment with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, tetramethoxyortosilicate or magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles. The structural and morphological features of the prepared samples were characterized by diverse experimental techniques. The photoactivity of the resulting materials has been tested under solar light irradiation for the degradation of emerging pollutants, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen and antipyrine. The resulting ZnO/Sep heterostructure exhibits enhanced photocatalytic performance compared to ZnO/SiO₂-Sep and ZnO/Fe₃O₄-Sep materials. Ibuprofen showed higher degradation rates than the other target compounds. Of particular interest is the use of ZnO/Fe₃O₄-Sep photocatalyst, which shows the simultaneous features of superparamagnetic character and photocatalytic activity, allowing its easy recovery by application of an external magnetic field which improves its reusability.

这项工作涉及基于海泡石（Sep）纤维粘土矿物表面上的ZnO纳米颗粒的组装来制备新型光催化剂，这些催化剂可以事先通过十六烷基三甲基溴化铵，四甲氧基原硅酸盐或磁铁矿（Fe ₃ O ₄）纳米颗粒进行处理进行改性。通过多种实验技术表征了所制备样品的结构和形态特征。已经在太阳光照射下测试了所得材料的光活性，以降解新兴污染物（如布洛芬，对乙酰氨基酚和安替比林）的降解。与ZnO / SiO ₂ -Sep和ZnO / Fe ₃ O ₄相比，所得的ZnO / Sep异质结构表现出增强的光催化性能。-9月的材料。布洛芬显示出比其他目标化合物更高的降解率。特别感兴趣的是使用ZnO / Fe ₃ O ₄ -Sep光催化剂，该光催化剂同时具有超顺磁特性和光催化活性，可通过施加外部磁场轻松恢复，从而提高其可重复使用性。