Diatomite has a large specific surface area, and the particles contain a large amount of silicon hydroxyl. The silicon hydroxyl will dissociate h+ in the aqueous solution, so that the surface of diatomite has a strong negative charge. It is an adsorbent with excellent performance.

In order to further improve the adsorption performance of diatomite, a large number of researchers have carried out a series of modification work. The modified diatomite can be used to treat domestic sewage, wastewater containing heavy metal ions, papermaking wastewater and printing and dyeing wastewater.

Fanyi et al. Synthesized zirconium modified diatomite by surface cross-linking method. It was found that the phosphorus adsorption capacity of zirconium modified diatomite was higher than that of pure zirconia adsorbent. For eutrophic lake water with phosphorus concentration of 2mg/l, when the dosage of zirconium modified diatomite was greater than 1.25g/l, the phosphorus concentration in the water after reaction could meet the class III standard for lakes and reservoirs specified in the environmental quality standard for surface water. Wang Fang modified diatomite with transition metals (Fe, Cu, Zn). When the addition of Fe was 7%, the adsorption capacity of ammonia nitrogen was 1.18mg/g, and the removal rate of ammonia nitrogen was 2.19 times that of unmodified diatomite.