The heterogeneity of adsorbent was characterized by a novel and simple method that uses adsorption kinetic data from solution. On the basis of different simulated adsorption kinetic data for heterogeneous adsorbents with two different adsorption sites, it was found that there is a deviation from linearity in pseudo-second-order adsorption kinetic models. The patterns of obtained diagrams (t/q(t) vs t) shows five main classes of adsorption. On the basis of this novel and simple method it is possible to show that the surface of adsorbents is homogeneous or heterogeneous, and in the case of heterogeneous surfaces it is possible to find the differences between adsorption sites. For finding kinetic constants of adsorption on heterogeneous surfaces with two different sites, a new equation was presented and called the two-site pseudo-second-order (TS-PSO) model. Finally, some experimental kinetic data of adsorption were analyzed by the new method. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.