Nowadays, using graphene oxide (GO) as an adsorbent for removing pollutants from wastewater has attracted increasing attention due to its unique physic-chemical properties. Nitrogen-containing amino (NA) compounds have excellently complexing properties due to their abundant amino functional groups. In order to obtain an innovative adsorbent, functionalized GO (NAGO) has been developed by combining the properties of GO with the advantages of NA compounds. The obtained NAGO composites usually exhibit great improvement in adsorption properties and can be used as a promising adsorbent for decontamination of wastewater. This paper reviewed recent progress of synthetic technologies about fabricating various NAGOs, and their morphologies, structures and functional characteristics. Meanwhile, important applications of NAGOs for different kind of pollutants and theory of the adsorption phenomena are discussed based on the isothermal and kinetic adsorption models. Furthermore, the affecting factors, underlying mechanisms and comparison with other adsorbents for the removal of pollutants are reviewed. Conclusively, the perspectives and challenges involved in the application of NAGOs for decontamination of wastewater have also been proposed to promote sustainable development of this new exciting field. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V.