An effective one-pot method for preparing covalently bonded nanocomposite soft magnetic beadlike microgels and their evaluation as an adsorbent for the removal of toxic heavy metals from aqueous solution

A covalently bonded Fe3O4/poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide)/attapulgite nanocomposite soft magnetic adsorbent is prepared by the inverse suspension polymerization process. We have developed a one-pot method for the process, which shows apparent advantages, such as simplified production process, high utilization of raw materials, good dispersity of nanomaterials in the polymer matrix, and the beadlike appearance of the product. The adsorbent has good adsorptions for Pb(II) and Cu(II). The excellent mechanical stability and reusability suggest that it is expected to have a long service life.