The search for suitable sorbents for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) removal from aqueous solutions prompted the evaluation of polymeric resins incorporating new properties that solve many of the existing problems when using granulated-activated carbon. A new type of non-functionalized macroporous hyper cross-linked resin, Hypersol Macronet (MN200) has been evaluated. Analyses of the respective batch rate data, for a family of six PAHs, with two kinetic models, the homogenous diffusion model (HDM) and the shell progressive model (SPM) were carried out. The process is controlled by the rate of diffusion of the solutes (PAHs) penetrating the reacted layer at PAH concentrations for the range 0.1-10 mg L-1. Effective particle-diffusion coefficients (D-eff) were determined from the rate data proposed by both models. The D-eff values from both HMD and SPM equations varied from 5 x 10(-13) -4 x 10(-15) m(2) s(-1). Pore diffusion is considered to be the predominant intraparticle transport mechanism inside the cross-linked polymer. The simplest model, the pore diffusion model, was applied first for data analysis. Close fitting of the data using this model requires that the apparent diffusivities are in the same order than the Brownian diffusivity reported in the literature. As a next step, the model of the next level of complexity, the surface diffusion model, was applied for data analysis. This model can explain the data, and the apparent surface diffusivities are the same order of magnitude as the literature values for similar resins. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.