Synthesis of covalently crosslinked attapulgite/poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) nanocomposite hydrogels and their evaluation as adsorbent for heavy metal ions

•Novel crosslinked nanocomposite hydrogels were designed.•The modified attapulgite nanorods were used as crosslinker and strengthener.•The hydrogel adsorbents exhibited selective adsorption to Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions.•The adsorbed ions could be easily eluted from the hydrogel adsorbent. Novel covalently crosslinked attapulgite/poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) (ATP/P(AA-co-AM)) nanocomposite hydrogel was synthesized via a facile “one-pot” two-step approach, with the modified attapulgite (ATPCC) nanorods as the sole crosslinker. Orthogonal experiment was designed to investigate the effect of the synthetic condition on the resultant nanocomposite hydrogels. The ATP/P(AA-co-AM)) nanocomposite hydrogels exhibited selective adsorption toward Pb2+ and Cu2+. The adsorbed ions could be easily desorbed, indicating their desired reusability. These excellent features, such as facile preparation, high mechanical stability, high adsorption capacity, and simple reactivation, make them potential adsorbent for the treatment of the heavy metal-contaminated water.