Layered silicate magadiite and its composites for pollutants removal and antimicrobial properties: A review

Heavy metals, organic pollutants, carbon dioxide (CO2), pathogenic bacteria as the main contaminants of water, soil, and air are generated by the exponential increase in the world's population and industrial as well as civilization, agricultural and domestic activities. They are not only hazardous to human health but also noxious to the ecosystem, this led researchers to test and assess other effective, environmentally friendly and low-cost materials, in order to minimize these impacts. Presently, the layered silicates materials in which their structures are composed of only SiO4 tetrahedra provide many attractive physicochemical properties. Especially, magadiite which has received increasing attention in recent years, many of which environmental contaminants have been removed by adsorbents based on magadiite; that designates it to be promising material for composites and hybrids fabrication. This mineral has shown good conservation of its lamellar structure during hybridization as well as an improvement in the mechanical, chemical and thermal stability of composites containing magadiite. This review assesses the removal contaminants performance by layered silicates materials in general and the magadiite and its composites in particular. For this, the adsorption capacity of dyes, heavy metals, (CO2) and pesticides are discussed in detail, as well as the antimicrobial activity of these materials were evenly mentioned. The main properties of layered silicates in the elimination of contaminants are evaluated and the known weak points of their applying were evenly discussed in other conduce the suggestions for further research. [Display omitted] •Literature investigation and opinions on the environmental applications of magadiite and its composites.•The characterization techniques used for magadiite identification has been summarized.•The adsorption capacity and selectivity of based magadiite adsorbents were compared.•Antimicrobial properties of magadiite and its composites are discussed.•Remarks on challenges and opportunities for layered silicate magadiite applications.