In the present paper a new type of triethylenetetramine-magnetite reduced graphene oxide (TET-MRGO) composite showing a high adsorption capacity (209.1 mg g(-1)) toward Cu(II) ions was prepared. The morphological, structural, and magnetic properties of TET-MRGO were characterized using infrared spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electronic Microscope, nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurement, Raman spectroscopy, and Transmission Electron Microscopy. TET-MRGO exhibits strong saturation magnetization (42.13 emu g(-1)) and can be easily separated from aqueous solution by an external magnetic field. A series of batch adsorption experiments were systematically conducted to study the adsorption property of TET-MRGO. The high adsorption capacity, excellent selectivity, and effective adsorption-desorption results indicated the prepared TET-MRGO composite could be an effective adsorbent for removing Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.