In　this　work,　new　Cu-coated　biochar　composites　for　the　adsorption　of　Re(VII)　through　complexation　mechanism　was　synthesized　successfully.　The　sensitivity　of　Cu-coated　biochars　to　solution　pH　decreased　greatly　and　the　adsorption　capacity　was　increased　by　3–12　times　compared　with　pristine　biochar　at　pH　3–6.　The　environmental　effect　factors　and　mechanisms　of　Re(VII)　adsorption　onto　Cu-coated　biochar　composites　(Cu-BC)　were　investigated.　The　Re(VII)　adsorption　nicely　fits　the　Redlich-Peterson　isotherm　model,　and　the　recovery　of　Re(VII)　from　acidic　solution　by　Cu-coated　biochar　composites　follows　pseudo-second-order　kinetics.　Besides,　the　thermodynamic　parameters　depicted　the　spontaneous　endothermic　nature　for　the　adsorption　of　low　concentration　Re(VII).　These　results　demonstrate　that　easily　synthetic　Cu-coated　biochar　composites　have　promising　potential　for　the　recovery　of　low　concentration　Re(VII)　in　acidic　solution.　©　2018　Elsevier　Ltd