Kinetics and thermodynamics of adsorption for Cd on green manufactured nano-particles

► A novel technology for fabricating CuFe2O4 was developed from industrial Cu sludge. ► The manufactured CuFe2O4 was effective in removing Cd2+ from contaminated water. ► The adsorbent can be rapidly recovered by a magnet because of its soft magnetism. ► Increasing pH has positive effects on the Cd2+ removal in the pH ranges of 2-6.