Loess is a large-scale deposit which is easy to mine and widely distributed on the epipedon. The clay fraction of loess, also known as ‘loessial clay’, is a very important component of loess which affects its properties and performance. From a ‘materials’ perspective, the clay fraction of loess has been ignored. Recently, loess particles have attracted interest because of their potential applications. The focus in the current review is on the methods of modifying loess particles and their application as functional materials. The major components of loess particles are clays, calcite, and quartz, with the clays including kaolinite, illite, montmorillonite, and chlorite. Loess has a range of particle sizes, types, and dispersibilities. The particles agglomerate readily, mainly because cementation occurs readily in the clay fraction. Loess particles can be modified and their properties can be improved by compaction, separation, purification, acidification, calcination, surfactant modification, geopolymerization, and polymer modification. Loess-based functional materials have been used as sorbents, eco-friendly superabsorbents, soil and water conservation materials, humidity-regulating materials, and building materials. Separated and purified loess particles can adsorb metal ions and harmful elements directly. Surfactant-modified loess particles can remove organic compounds effectively. After modification with polymers, loess particles exhibit greater capacity for the removal of environmental pollutants such as harmful metal ions and dyes. As a superabsorbent, modified loess shows excellent thermal stability and swelling behavior. Calcined loess could be utilized as an energy-saving building material with good humidity-regulating performance, and geological polymerization has further expanded the scope of applications of loess in architecture. In summary, loess-based functional materials, which are inexpensive and ecologically friendly, deserve more attention and further development.

黄土是一种规模大的矿床，易于开采，在表层分布广泛。黄土的黏土部分，也称为“黄土黏土”，是影响黄土性质和性能的非常重要的成分。从“材料”的角度来看，黄土的粘土部分被忽略了。最近，黄土颗粒因其潜在的应用而引起了人们的兴趣。当前综述的重点是黄土颗粒的改性方法及其作为功能材料的应用。黄土颗粒的主要成分是粘土、方解石和石英，其中粘土包括高岭石、伊利石、蒙脱石和绿泥石。黄土具有一系列粒度、类型和分散性。颗粒很容易团聚，主要是因为在粘土部分很容易发生胶结。黄土颗粒可以通过压实、分离、提纯、酸化、煅烧、表面活性剂改性、地质聚合和聚合物改性等方法进行改性，改善其性质。黄土基功能材料已被用作吸附剂、环保型超强吸水剂、水土保持材料、调湿材料和建筑材料。分离提纯的黄土颗粒可直接吸附金属离子和有害元素。表面活性剂改性黄土颗粒可以有效去除有机化合物。用聚合物改性后，黄土颗粒表现出更大的去除环境污染物的能力，如有害金属离子和染料。作为一种超强吸水剂，改性黄土显示出优异的热稳定性和溶胀行为。煅烧黄土可作为节能建筑材料，调湿性能好，地质聚合作用进一步扩大了黄土在建筑中的应用范围。综上所述，黄土基功能材料价格低廉、生态友好，值得更多关注和进一步发展。