Abstract: Aimin at the problems that xanthan gun adsorbent is hydrophilic and difficult to separate from water,butyl xanthate was added for coprocessing Cu (Ⅱ ) in simulated wastewater. The suitable processing parameters were determined by condition experiments,and adsorption mechanism was analyzed through the Zeta potential,FTIR and XPS. The Cu(Ⅱ ) removal rate reached 87. 44% with the dosage of xanthan gum of 50 mg / L,the pH value of solution of 6,the stirring time of 30 min and the initial concentration of Cu(Ⅱ ) of 60 mg / L. On the basis of the above conditions,adding 40 mg / L butyl xanthan combined with xanthan gum to remove Cu(Ⅱ ),the removal rate reached 99. 86%,increased by 12. 42 percentage points. The adsorption mechanism of Cu( Ⅱ ) in wastewater by xanthan gum includes the electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged xanthan gum and the positively charged metal ions,and the coordination complexation between the unbonded electrons of the oxygen in the hydroxyl and carboxyl groups of xanthan gum and the vacant orbital of Cu( Ⅱ ). The S in butyl xanthate can provide electrons for the vacant orbital of Cu(Ⅱ ),which further enhances the adsorption effect and significantly increases the removal rate of Cu(Ⅱ ). The results provide a new idea for the efficient removal of heavy metal ions.