Graphene oxide (GO)-FeOOH composites were synthesized by an easy method for the efficient removal of arsenate from water. The as-synthesized composites showed excellent adsorption performance for arsenate. The experimental results of adsorption showed that the two-dimensional GO sheets are more advantageous than three-dimensional matrix materials as the supports of the adsorbents with fast adsorption rate and high adsorption capacity. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.