This paper presents the adsorption of Cu(II) from aqueous solution on modified Unye bentonite. Adsorption of Cu(II) by manganase oxide modified bentonite (MMB) sample was investigated as a function of the initial Cu(II) concentration, solution pH, ionic strength, temperature and inorganic ligands (Cl − , SO 4 2− , HPO 4 2− ). Changes in the surfaces and structure were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, N 2 gas adsorption and potentiometric titration data. The adsorption properties of raw bentonite (RB) were further improved by modification with manganese oxide. Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacity of the MMB (105.38mg/g) was found greater than that of the raw bentonite (42.41mg/g). The spontaneity of the adsorption process is established by decrease in ΔG which varied from −4.68 to −5.10kJmol −1 in temperature range 303–313K. The high performance exhibited by MMB was attributed to increased surface area and higher negative surface charge after modification.