A novel network montmorillonite composite particle directly separated from water after adsorption pollutants

•Polyvinylformal-Montmorillonite particle with the network structure was prepared.•Particle structure, morphology, performance and separation from water were studied.•Composite particle can directly separate montmorillonite (Mt) from water.•The adsorption performance of composite particle is better than that of Mt.•Particle adsorption mechanism for Pb(II) and methylene blue was discussed.