Green composites based on montmorillonite (Mt) and cysteine, were prepared for heavy metal removal. A comparison between the adsorption properties of the resulting hybrid inorganic-organic materials and the pure montmorillonite was carried out for the following heavy metal cations Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Co2+ and Zn2+. It appears that the adsorption capacity is higher on the composite. Moreover, in release experiments, the heavy metal cations are more strongly retained by the hybrid material. Interactions between the hybrid clay mineral and the inorganic hosts were studied by spectroscopic methods such as solid-state NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) and FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared). The experimental data were in agreement with the theoretical periodic DFT (Density Functional Theory) calculations where a molecular picture of the adsorption complex is proposed. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.