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We successfully absorbed the copper ion (Cu 2+ ) and cadmium ion (Cd 2+ ) from alkaline aqueous solutions using the prepared chitosan-tannin (CTS/TA) functional paper as absorbent materials. The kinetics of the adsorption, the adsorption isotherms, and the influence of the solution flow rate and pH were investigated detailly. The adsorption data were described well by Langmuir isotherms, with maximum copper (Cu 2+ ) and cadmium (Cd 2+ ) adsorption capacities of 684.93 and 813.01 mg/m 2 , respectively. The experimental results also showed that the adsorption of these heavy metals was selective in the order of Cu 2+  > Cd 2+ , as Cu 2+ competed with Cd 2+ for bonding sites at solution concentrations greater than or equal to 200 mg/L. The results of this study illustrated that the chitosan-tannin functional paper materials mainly followed a complexation-adsorption model, and the best adsorption capacity was achieved at pH = 9. The desorption of heavy ions from this adsorbent and its reusability of functional paper was also involved. Therefore, this novel, environment-friendly functional paper can surely act as an effective adsorbent for the removal and recovery of heavy metals in alkaline aqueous solutions., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)