Using Cu 2+ as template ion, three sodium alginate hydrogel beads including SA, SAC, and SAB beads were prepared with sodium alginate blending with different precursors of carboxymethyl cellulose and βcyclodextrin, respectively. The effect of pH, adsorption time, initial concentration of Cu 2+ , adsorbent dosage, and coexisting ions on the adsorption e ciency of three hydrogel beads was investigated. The results indicated that adding carboxymethyl cellulose and β-cyclodextrin into skeleton of beads increased the toughness of the beads and improved the adsorption capacity of Cu 2+ . The adsorption rate of Cu 2+ on SA beads was conformed to the pseudo-rst order kinetic equation, while the adsorption behavior of Cu 2+ on SAC or SAB beads could be con rmed to the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation. Compared with the saturated adsorption capacity 510 mg/g of Cu 2+ on SA, the saturated adsorption capacity of Cu 2+ on SAB and SAC reached 817 mg/g and 822 mg/g, respectively, with their Cu 2+ adsorption e ciency over 95% at 25°C. Thus, SAC and SAB beads could be used as adsorption material for detecting and removing Cu 2+ from wastewater.