A novel chitosan-based adsorbent (CCTE) was synthesized by the reaction between epichlorohydrin O-cross-linked chitosan and EDTA dianhydride under microwave irradiation (MW). The chemical structure of this new polymer was characterized by infrared spectra analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The results were in agreement with the expectations. The static adsorption properties of the polymer for Pb2+, Cu2+, Cd2+, Ni2+, and Co2+ were investigated. Experimental results demonstrated that the CCTE had higher adsorption capacity for the same metal ion than the parent chitosan and cross-linked chitosan. In particular, the adsorption capacities for Pb2+ and Cd2+ were 1.28 mmol/g and 1.29 mmol/g, respectively, in contrast to only 0.372 mmol/g for Pb2+ and 0.503 mmol/g for Cd2+ on chitosan. Kinetic experiments indicated that the adsorption of CCTE for the above metal ions achieved the equilibrium within 4 h. The desorption efficiencies of the metal ions on CCTE were over 93%. Therefore, CCTE is an effective adsorbent for the removal and recovery of heavy metal ions from industrial waste solutions. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 115: 514-519, 2010