A novel silica-reinforced P(AM/AMPS/SA/TM-SiO2) microspheres for selective adsorption of methylene blue from aqueous solution

•Novel silica-reinforced microsphere was synthesized by microemulsion polymerization method.•The microspheres have the characteristics of stable structure and rich negative charge on surface.•The microsphere was an efficient and specific adsorbent for the removal of MB.•The equilibrium adsorption data are in good agreement with Langmuir isotherm model.•The microsphere adsorbent still has good adsorption performance after five absorption–desorption cycles.