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Combining 40wt.% ZnO with HAP within a low-cost coprecipitation method results in a 40ZnO:HAP composite with a high specific surface area of 250 m2g−1that is able to retain the 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2), a hormonal model, and then degrade it under UV light. The particle size is between 10 and 20 with platelet morphology of approximately 5 nm. Due to the large structure of EE2, its adsorption on ZnO, HAP and 40ZnHAP is low, but it is easily degraded under UV light. The experimental adsorption kinetics matches well with the pseudo-first-order equation and the maximum adsorption capacity (qe) is the highest for the 40ZnHAP nanocomposite though it does not exceed 1.1 mg g−1. The complete degradation of EE2 is achieved for 40ZnHAP and ZnO at 90 min and 120 min, respectively. Results indicate that the combination of ZnO and porous apatite is an interesting combination for the efficient degradation of EE2 hormone.

Simultaneous photocatalytic and antimicrobial activity is considered a very promising technology for water treatment. By studying their antimicrobial activity, the present study evaluates effect of the association of porous hydroxyapatite with zinc oxide to improve the photodegradation of antibiotics in water and to trap the by-products. Coexistence in the nanocomposite of zinc oxide with porous apatite, prepared from phosphate rock, is a key factor promoting strong photocatalytic and antibacterial activities. Toxicity of the water discharged after the photocatalytic treatment was studied. Owing to the simplicity of the synthesis of ZnO–hydroxyapatite nanocomposites from Moroccan natural phosphate and their versatility, the present approach holds promise for the development of multifunctional photocatalysts and antibacterial agents for environmental applications.