Zeolites Y, A and mordenite (ZY, ZA and ZM) were obtained from diatomite in a template-free system, and the products were modified by thiourea (TU). Characterization studies results indicated that the TU molecules were loaded onto the exterior surfaces of the synthetic zeolites as well as the channels. Elemental analysis and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer proved that the TU molecules loaded on to ZA were more than ZY and ZM. Removal of Cd(II) was investigated, and it was found that the modified zeolites have higher removal capacity, modified ZA is especially noticeable. In the adsorption experiments, the effects of various parameters such as sorbent content, contact time, concentration of cadmium solution, pH, selectivity and regeneration were discussed. At the best removal efficiency by modified zeolites, the maximum adsorption capacity is 94.3 mg.g(-1), 103.2 mg.g(-1) and 89.7 mg.g(-1) at 25 degrees C, respectively. The sorbents show good efficiency for the removal of Cd(11) in the presence of different multivalent cations and have good regeneration effect. For the modified samples, removal experiments take place via ion exchange and complexation processes. (C) 2020 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.