ABSTRACT:Graphene was a new type of carbon nanomaterials, which has unique physical and chemical properties, including high mechanical strength, good stability, strong superficial chemical activity and large surface area. These characteristics make graphene be a unique adsorption material. This article mainly summarized the synthesis of graphene and graphene composites.Moreover, the main research progress and adsorption  mechanism for the removal of heavy metal ions from water were all summarized. Finally, the further research directions of graphene were prospected．