Use of low-cost hybrid precursor, prepared from rice hull has been studied as a sorbent for the removal of Pb2+ from aqueous solutions. Effect of contact time, initial concentration, pH and temperature has been studied. The effect of temperature (30,40, 50 and 60 degrees C) on adsorption phenomena has been studied and data have been analyzed using Langmuir isotherm. The change in enthalpy (Delta H) (-14.6179 kJ/mol), free energy (Delta G) and entropy (Delta S) has also been evaluated. The negative values of Delta G and Delta H indicate the adsorption of lead ions on the surface of hybrid precursor to be spontaneous and exothermic under the experimental condition. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.