In this paper, carboxymethylcellulose sodium/poly(acriylic acid)/attapulgite superabsorbent composites were prepared by aqueous solution polymerization using N,N’ –methylenebisacrylamide as crosslinker and ammonium persulfate as an initiator in the presence of different purity of attapulgite. The effect of the purity of attapulgite on water absorbency, water absorption rate and swelling properties in different pH medium were studied. FTIR spectra proved acriylic acid monomers were grafted onto the carboxymethylcellulose sodium backbone, and attapulgite participated in polymerization through its active silanol groups. FESEM observation showed that attapulgite fibrils led to a better dispersion in the polymeric matrix and formed a surface porous structure. More Ca2+ and Mg2+ in attapulgite are helpful to improve the swelling behaviors of the superabsorbent composites under the same content of attapulgite.