a b s t r a c tMagnetite nanoparticles with a size distribution of 15-21 nm were synthesized and decorated onto surface of graphene oxide by ultrasound assisted precipitation. Size and size distribution of the obtained M-GO hybrid were appreciably finer than the hybrids prepared by stirring method. M-GO is a superparamagnetic material with saturation magnetization of 31 emu g −1 . The Langevin equation was successfully applied for estimation of size of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles in M-GO hybrid, with maximum error of 17.5%. The study put forward a formation mechanism for M-GO, based on instrumental analyses. Adsorption isotherms of Sr 2+ and Co 2+ ions, which were fitted by Langmuir monolayer model, displayed two-fold higher capacity for Co 2+ ions, presumably due to its similarity to Fe 2+ (of Fe 3 O 4 component). Uptake of both Co 2+ and Sr 2+ ions were endothermic, and spontaneous, however the former proceeded through inner-shell complex formation, while the latter took place via ion exchange mechanism. Rate of adsorption of Co 2+ was faster, but for both ions, chemical reaction was the rate determining step. Sorption of Sr 2+ and Co 2+ ions greatly increased at pHs above 5, where (1) surface zeta potential changed its sign, and (2) deprotonating reactions at the surface became complete.