The morphological and mineralogical properties of dolomite–palygorskite clay were characterized.
Batch experiments were performed for the removal of Cu(II).
The removal efficiency and capacity of Cu(II) by dolomite–palygorskite clay were superior to common dolomite and palygorskite.
Precipitation on the mineral-water interfaces was the main removal mechanism.
The submicron dolomite with nanopores enhanced the removal of Cu(II).