The adsorption behavior of methacrylic acid-grafted poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers was studied toward the copper(II) ion in aqueous solutions by a batch equilibriation technique. The influence of treatment time, temperature, pH of the solution, metal ion concentration, and graft yield were considered. One hour of adsorption time was found sufficient to reach adsorption equilibrium for the copper(II) ion. It was found that the adsorption isotherm of Cu(II)fits Langmuir-type isotherms. The adsorption process is not affected by the temperature when treated with low ion concentration, but is remarkably decreased at a high ion concentration. The heat of adsorption value was calculated as 0.71 kcal/mol. It was found that the reactive fibers are stable and regenerable by acid without losing their activity. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons.