A new cationic exchange material, sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) with cerium (IV) phosphate (AOT-CeP) has been synthesized. The characterization of the ion exchanger was performed by using infra red spectroscopy (IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermo gravimetric analysis/differential thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA/DTG) and elemental analysis. The ion exchange properties like ion exchange capacity, elution and concentration behavior of AOT-CeP were determined by taking the material into a column and elution of H+ was done by NaNO3. The thermal stability of the ion exchanger was studied by determining ion exchange capacity after heating to different temperatures for one hour. The adsorption studies on AOT-CeP demonstrated that the material is selective for Cu2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, Zn2+ and Hg2+ ions. AOT-CeP was found to be effective for the separation of Cu2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, Zn2+ and Hg2+ ions in the presence of alkali metals/alkaline earth metals. This cationic exchanger was also effective for the removal of Cu2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, Zn2+ and Hg2+ ions in the presence of acid and other transition metal ions. Thus, AOT-CeP can be used for the removal of these ions from the waste water during its treatment. (c) 2012 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.