A lignocellulosic material extracted from rice husk (Oryza sativa), Vietnam, was modified as a new adsorbent for the removal of As(V) ions from aqueous solution. Iron was coated onto this adsorbent by hydrolization of ferric nitrate while adding an alkaline solution drop wise into the batch type reactor. The adsorption of As(V) ions from aqueous solution on coated rice husk was then studied at varying pH, As(V) concentrations, contact times, ionic strength, and adsorbent amounts. The minimum contact time to reach equilibrium is about 6 h. The adsorption of As(V) anions on the coated rice husk was found to be highly pH dependent due to Coulomb interactions between As(V) species in solution and positively charged surface groups RH-FeOOH, as well as formation of chelate complexes with naturally occurring carboxyl and carbonyl functional groups in the matrix. As(V) adsorption on Fe(III)-coated rice husk (RH-FeOOH) from aqueous solution was studied in the pH range 2-10. The main effects of pH on adsorption are estimated by considering both the behavior of As(V) ions (hydrolysis and hydroxide precipitation) and the effect of pH on coordination. A strong effect of pH was demonstrated at pH 4.0 with a maximum percentage for removal of As(V) ions 94%. Although both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms have been used to characterize the adsorption of As(V), the Langmuir model fitted the equilibrium data better than Freundlich model and confirmed the surface homogeneity of adsorbent. The maximum adsorption capacity is determined as 2.5 mg/g of adsorbent at pH 4.0 for the Fe(III)-coated rice husk. It is concluded that initial As(V) concentration has an effect on the removal efficiency of RH-FeOOH. Higher adsorption of As(V) was observed at lower initial concentrations. RH-FeOOH as a low cost material is effective for the removal of As(V) ions and may become a valuable adsorbent to improve the ground water quality in Vietnam. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.