The montmorillonite/CoFe2O4 composite as a novel adsorbent with the magnetic separation performance was prepared by a facile, one-step low-temperature refluxing route. The structure, morphology and magnetic properties of the synthesized composite were characterized by powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Adsorption characteristics of the composite were examined by using methylene blue (MB) as an adsorbate. The effects of solution pH, dye concentration, contact time and temperature on the MB adsorption onto the composite were investigated. The results showed that the adsorption isotherm data were fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm. Adsorption kinetics of MB onto the composite followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The thermodynamic parameters, such as Delta G degrees, Delta H degrees and Delta S degrees, were also determined and evaluated. Moreover, the composite adsorbent had high magnetic sensitivity under an external magnetic field, which allowed its magnetic separation from water avoiding the secondary pollution. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.