Synthesis, characterization, and application of MOF@clay composite as a visible light-driven photocatalyst for Rhodamine B degradation.

Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) with natural clay materials is a relatively new research avenue that appears to reduce high production costs and address the instability issues of pure MOFs. A novel MOF and natural clay composites of MOF@Sp_n (n = 1-4) were fabricated by the in situ precipitation of stable MOF, ZrO(OH) (ABDC) (where ABDC = 2-aminobenzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid), over natural sepiolite (Sp) clay and used as a photocatalysts for elimination of organic dyes in aqueous media. The formation of MOF@Sp_n due to its strong electrostatic interactions between the positively charged MOF and the negatively charged sepiolite.

Fabrication and characterization of ternary sepiolite/g-CN/Pd composites for improvement of photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin under visible light irradiation.

The development of high-quality photocatalytic materials for the degradation of organic pollutants under visible light irradiation is a vital field of research. In the present study, a composite of natural sepiolite clay and synthetic graphitic carbon nitride (CN) mixed with dispersed palladium nanoparticles was developed for the efficient photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) under visible light irradiation. The sepiolite, CN, and composite materials were characterized by several techniques.

Synthesis of Saponite Based Nanocomposites to Improve the Controlled Oral Drug Release of Model Drug Quinine Hydrochloride Dihydrate.

In the present research study, a 2:1 type of smectite clay minerals, namely natural saponite (NSAP) and synthetic saponite (SSAP), was demonstrated for the first time to be controlled drug release host materials for the model drug quinine hydrochloride dihydrate (QU). The popular sol-gel hydrothermal technique was followed for the synthesis of saponite. The QU was ion exchanged and intercalated into an interlayered gallery of synthetic as well as natural saponite matrices.