The high selectivity for the separation of nickel from cobalt-solution by a polyamine chelating resin was explored. As to the sole-component static system, the equilibrium data could be satisfactorily described by the Langmuir isotherm, from which the calculated maximum adsorption capacities for Ni(II) and Co(II) were 0.982 mmol/g and 0.741 mmol/g, respectively. Additionally, in the binary system with high concentration ratio of cobalt and nickel, the uptake amount of resin for both ions decreased, indicating their competitive adsorption behavior on active sites. Separation factors suggested the extremely higher selectivity for Ni(II) against Co(II). The obtained separation factor values indicated the extremely higher selectivity for Ni(II) versus Co(II). The column dynamic breakthrough curves revealed a potential success for the achievement of high-purity cobalt because of the higher initial adsorption rate and capacity toward Ni(II). (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.