Porous magnetic microspheres with large particle size (350-450 mu m) were prepared with sulfonated macroporous polydivinylbenzene as a template. The preparation process included ferrous ion exchange and following oxidation by hydrogen peroxide. The results showed that the weight fraction of magnetic nanoparticles exceeded 20 wt% in microspheres after the preparation process was repeated three times. X-ray diffraction profiles indicated that the crystalline phase of as-formed magnetic nanoparticles was magnetite (Fe3O4). TEM images revealed rod-like magnetite crystal after the first oxidation cycle, however, the crystal morphologies were transferred into random shape after more oxidation cycles. The applicability of porous magnetic microspheres for removal of cationic dyes from water was also explored. The results exhibited that basic fuchsin and methyl violet could be quickly removed from water with high efficiency. More importantly, the magnetic microspheres could be easily regenerated and repeatedly employed for wastewater treatment. Therefore, a novel methodology was provided for fast removal cationic dyes from wastewater. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.