The existing form of molybdenum in acidic sulfate solution was studied by means of ion exchange, infrared (IR) spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicate that the anionic molybdenum species are predominant in acidic sulfate solution, and Mo(VI) can combine with sulfate radical to form heteropoly acid anions [Mo 2 O 5 (SO 4 ) 2 ] 2-and [MoO 2 (HSO 4 ) 4 ] 2-. With the decrease in solution pH from 1.92 to 0.06, the existing form of Mo(VI) changes from Mo 7 O 21 (OH) 3 3-to [Mo 2 O 5 (SO 4 ) 2 ] 2-and then becomes [MoO 2 (HSO 4 ) 4 ] 2-, which results in the decrease in the resin adsorption capacity for molybdenum.