The hierarchical effect of amine-functionalization on nanoparticle properties, magnetism especially, and adsorption of Cu2+, Ni2+, Pb2+ and Zn2+ by aminated MIONPs were investigated elaboratively. The results reflected that the dispersibility and stability of nanoparticles in aqueous solution were both enhanced as MIONPs grafted with amine groups, while saturation magnetism and magnetic recovery conveniences had a negatively correlative relation with the amination degree. In addition, the adsorption performances of Cu2+, Ni2+, Pb2+ and Zn2+ by different aminated MIONPs were also studied comprehensively. The results showed that the initial adsorption rates and adsorption capacities of heavy metal ions increased with the amination degree. In addition, the quantitative correlation between amination degree and adsorption capacities of different heavy metal ions could be described well by a model built on basis of adsorption processes. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V.