In this work, adsorption of Cu(II) ions on sawdust (SD) and activated sawdust (ASD) has been studied by using batch adsorption techniques. The equilibrium adsorption level was determined to be a function of the pH, initial Cu(II) concentration, and adsorbent dosage. The equilibrium nature of Cu(II) adsorption has been described by the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. The experimental adsorption data were fitted to the Langmuir adsorption model both sawdust and activated sawdust. The equilibrium capacity of sawdust and activated sawdust were 5.432 and 13.495 mg copper per g adsorbent, respectively at room temperature and natural pH. The maximum adsorption capacity was obtained at the maximum zeta potential value that -74.5 mV (pH 5) for activated sawdust and at -48.4 mV (pH 4) for sawdust. It was observed that activated sawdust was a suitable adsorbent than sawdust for removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.