A new flocculant, based on Konjac-graft-poly (acrylamide)-co-sodium xanthate (CKAX), was synthesized in aqueous solution using epichlorohydrin (ECH) as the cross-linker and ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as the initiator. X-ray diffraction indicated the existence of strong interaction between KGM and reactant, including intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Microscopy images exhibited the appropriate pore size and distribution, which might be related to a higher capacity of flocculation and adsorption. Thermo gravimetric analysis showed that the synthetic polymer could improve the thermo-stability of the natural polysaccharides, and there was a positive correlation between polymer residual weight and flocculation. The adsorption and desorption properties for copper ions indicated that the adsorption rate could be described by a pseudo-second-order rate model, and the Freundlich model provides the best fit for the resulting adsorption isotherm. The flocculant can be regenerated in HNO3 solution. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.