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Batch and continuous adsorption of Co2+ and Cu2+ from aqueous solutions by oxidized sugarcane bagasse (SBox) and oxidized cellulose (Cox) were investigated. The oxidation reaction of sugarcane bagasse and cellulose was made with a mixture of H3PO4‒NaNO2 to obtain SBox and Cox, with the introduction of high number of carboxylic acid functions, 4.5 and 4.8 mmol/g, respectively. The adsorption kinetics of Co2+ and Cu2+ on SBox and Cox were modeled using two models (pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order) and the rate-limiting step controlling the adsorption was evaluated by Boyd and intraparticle diffusion models. The Sips and Langmuir models better fitted the isotherms with values of maximum adsorption capacity Q max of 0.68 and 0.37 mmol/g for Co2+ and 1.20 and 0.57 mmol/g for Cu2+ adsorption on Cox and SBox, respectively. The reuse of both spent adsorbents was evaluated. Adsorption of Cu2+ and Co2+ on SBox in continuous was evaluated using a 22 factorial design with spatial time and initial metal concentration as independent variables and Q max and effective use of the bed as responses. The breakthrough curves were very well described by the Bohart–Adams original model and the Q max values for Co2+ and Cu2+ were 0.22 and 0.55 mmol/g. SBox confirmed to be a promising biomaterial for application on a large scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]