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Large amount of heavy metal ions disposed in wastewater by various industries causes environmental pollution and toxicity in waste water. Many naturally available materials were used as adsorbents for the removal of heavy metal ions, but they are not effective because of low surface area. Novel nano materials are used as adsorbents in the removal of metal ions to treat potable water. In the present work nano sized large surface area (80.425 m2/g) Zinc Oxide (ZnO) was synthesized by gel combustion method and used as an adsorbent for the removal of cadmium (II) (Cd2+) from aqueous solution. The nano ZnO and Cd adsorbed ZnO were characterized by XRD, the additional Cd peaks in XRD pattern confirms the Cd adsorption. SEM analysis confirmed the adsorption of Cd2+ by change in the morphology of adsorbent. Percentage purity of the element and the presence of the Cd were characterized by EDAX. Adsorption of Cd2+ on ZnO was confirmed by varying parameters like initial concentration, pH and adsorbent dosage. Cadmium concentration in the solution was analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). Increase in the initial concentration of Cd solution, decreases the percentage of adsorption, where as increase in the adsorbent dosage and pH of the solution increases the adsorption of Cd2+ on ZnO. Synthesized nano ZnO shows maximum of 95% Cd adsorption at lower initial concentration. Experimental data fits Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models.