Typical synthesis of an iron-modified Laponite @diatomite composite for photo-Fenton degradation of methyl orange dyes

•Ferrous ion-modified Laponite@diatomite composites were prepared by a simple adsorption-impregnation method;•Fe-La@D catalyst shows good photo-Fenton performance on MO and excellent adsorption performance on MB;•During the photo-Fenton reaction, the synergistic effect of hydroxyl radicals and UV light was used to degrade MO;•Fe-La@D catalyst exhibits excellent recyclability.