To improve the electrode performance in capacitive deionization, a multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) composite electrode was prepared in this study. The electro-sorption performance of this composite electrode was evaluated in terms of capacitive characteristics, number cycles, desalting capability, and compared to that of commercial activated carbon. Results showed that the MWCNT/PVA composite electrode had strong hydrophilicity, high mesoporosity, and excellent capacitor characteristics. The cyclic voltammetry curves of the MWCNT/PVA composite represented less scan-rate and concentration dependency, reflecting better rate capacity for ion electrosorption. From the desalination experiments of 0.001 M NaC1 at 1.2 V. the MWCNT/PVA composite electrode exhibited a larger ion removal capacity (13.07 mg g(-1)), higher electrosorption rate (0.073 min(-1)), and less energy consumption (0.038 kW h m(-3)) as compared to that of the activated carbon electrode. The good electrosorption performance could be attributed to the mesoporous structure that is less affected by double-layer overlapping and then facilitates ion transport. Additionally, the MWCNT/PVA composite electrode revealed a higher effective surface area of 26.04% of the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area, which was -10 fold than that of activated carbon electrode. Overall, because of its excellent electrode properties and morphology advantage, the composite electrode is a desirable material for the removal of ions in capacitive deionization. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.