BACKGROUNDIn this study, a novel adsorbent based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes was synthesized by reacting with the modified beta-cyclodextrin and was developed for the removal of contaminants from aqueous solutions. RESULTSThe characteristic results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that beta-cyclodextrin was grafted onto the surface of multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The adsorption experiments of Cr (VI) and phenol demonstrated that the performance for the removal of phenol and Cr (VI) was enhanced significantly due to the multiple hydroxyl groups and the hydrophobic cavity in beta-cyclodextrin forming complexes with metal ions and organic pollutants. The adsorption isotherms of Cr (VI) and phenol onto MWCNTs/beta-CD fitted the Langmuir isotherm model and maximum adsorption capacity was 9.74 mg g(-1) for Cr (VI) and 100.27 mg g(-1) for phenol. CONCLUSIONSThese results demonstrated that the novel adsorbent was a suitable material for the preconcentration and separation of inorganic and organic pollutants from aqueous solutions during environmental pollution cleanup. (c) 2014 Society of Chemical Industry