Bentonite clay sourced from the Guarapuava region, Brazil, was modified with niobium oxide (BEOx) and niobium phosphate (BEPh) to act as an adsorbent and photocatalyst in the remediation of wastewater containing methylene blue (MB) dye. Additionally, colored materials were evaluated for their potential as antibacterial hybrid pigments. The bentonite clay modified with niobium was prepared by a solution containing swelling clay mixed with niobium oxide (NbOx) and niobium phosphate (NbPh) in a water solution
after that, the suspension was calcinated. X-ray diffractometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy assessed the modifications induced by the incorporation of niobium compounds into the clay, confirming the presence of niobium in the bentonite clay. Following characterization, the BEOx and BEPh samples were used as adsorbents or photocatalysts for treating solutions containing the MB dye (400 mg·L