A novel magnetic composite bioadsorbent composed of magnetic chitosan and graphene oxide (MCGO) was prepared as the magnetic adsorbent. The morphology, chemical structure and magnetic property of the MCGO were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electronic microscope (SEM), respectively. Adsorption of methyl blue (MB) onto MCGO was investigated with respect to pH, adsorption time, initial MB concentration and temperature. Kinetics data and adsorption isotherm, obtained at the optimum pH 5.3, were better fitted by pseudo-second-order kinetic model and by Langmuir isotherm, respectively. The values of activation parameters such as free energy (Delta G, -0.74 similar to-1.46 kJ mol(-1)), enthalpy (Delta H, -10.28 kJ mol(-1)) and entropy (Delta S, -36.35J mol(-1) K-1) were determined, respectively, indicating that the adsorption was spontaneous, favorable and exothermic process in nature. Moreover, the MCGO was stable and easily recovered, the adsorption capacity was about 90% of the initial saturation adsorption capacity after being used four times. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.