The adsorption characteristics of Cd(II) from electrolytic solution by activated charcoal have been investigated. It was found that the amount of adsorption of Cd(II) depends mainly on the pH value of the solution, the number of added inorganic ions, and oxygen-containing groups on the surface. The activated charcoal was treated with the oxidation-negative ionizing (OA) method to produce more oxygen-containing groups on the surface. The adsorption amount of Cd(II) on the treated activated charcoal increased remarkably. It was also found that the more powerful the acidity of the surface and the larger the adsorption amount of Cd(II), so the charged groups on the surface of activated charcoal are considered as the main adsorption-activated sites for inorganic ions. The adsorption characteristics of various complexes of Cd(II) on the surface of activated charcoal have also been investigated. Three types of adsorption configuration of the complexes of Cd(II) on the surface of activated charcoal were suggested according to the experimental results.