Polyaniline/attapulgite composite (ATP-PANI) was prepared by in situ chemical oxidation and characterized by FITR, XRD, and TEM. Characterized results showed that polyaniline (PANI) was successfully encapsulated on the surface of attapulgite (ATP). Humic acid (HA) adsorption onto ATP-PANI was investigated by batch experiments and adsorption kinetic tests. In contrast with the low HA adsorption amount on ATP, substantially enhanced HA adsorption onto ATP-PANI was observed. Adsorption isotherms of HA can be well described by Langmuir model and the maximum adsorption amounts were found to be 43.01, 52.91, 61.35 mg/g at 15, 25, and 35 degrees C, respectively. HA adsorption increased with rise in temperature indicating of an endothermic process of HA adsorption onto ATP-PANI. Pseudo-second order kinetic equation can fit HA adsorption very well and the adsorption rate decreased with increasing initial HA concentration. HA adsorption decreased monotonously with increasing solution pH. Co-existed cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+) in aqueous solution improved HA adsorption amount on ATP-PANI, and the augment of HA adsorption amount was order as Ca2+ > K+ > Na+. Results of HA adsorption onto ATP-PANI showed that the electrostatic interaction between amine and imine groups of the adsorbents and HA molecules in solution may account for the enhanced HA adsorption. The HA molecules adsorbed on ATP-PANI can be effectively desorbed in 2 M NaOH solution, and regenerated adsorbent can be repeatedly used in the subsequently four adsorption-regeneration cycles with little loss of HA adsorption amount. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.