A synthetic graft copolymer of cross-linked starch/acrylonitrile was used as an adsorbent for the removal of Cu(II) ions from an aqueous solution of copper nitrate hexahydrate Cu(NO3)(2) 6H(2)O at different temperatures and fixed pH. The amount adsorbed increased with increasing concentration of Cu(II) ions and decreasing temperature. The length of time taken to reach equilibrium of the adsorption of Cu(II) ions was the same at all temperatures tested. Kinetics studies showed that the adsorption process obeyed first-order reversible kinetics and the adsorption isotherms followed the Freundlich model. Furthermore, the thermodynamic parameters, i.e. standard free energy (Delta G degrees), standard enthalpy (Delta H degrees), and standard entropy (Delta S degrees), of the adsorption process were calculated and the results are discussed in detail. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.