In this study, magnetic nanocomposite hydrogels based on polyvinyl alcohol were synthesized. Magnetic polyvinyl alcohol/laponite RD (PVA-mLap) nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results indicated that PVA-mLap had desirable magnetic-sorption properties and magnetic-laponite nanoparticles were successfully synthesized and added to polyvinyl alcohol. The present nanocomposites were applied to remove Cd2+ from aqueous solution. The influence of initial Cd2+ concentration, magnetic-laponite concentration, pH, and ionic strength on adsorption isotherm was investigated. Heterogeneity of adsorption sites was intensified by increasing magnetic concentration of adsorbents and by rising pH value. Results of ionic strength studies indicated that by increasing ionic strength more than four times, the adsorption of Cd2+ has only decreased around 15%. According to the results, the dominant mechanism of Cd2+ sorption by the present adsorbents was determined chemical and specific sorption. Therefore, the use of the present nanocomposites as a powerful adsorbent of Cd2+ in the wastewater treatment is suggested. Isotherm data were described by using Freundlich and Langmuir models, and better fitting was introduced Langmuir model.
