Zinc oxide powders with six-sided flake-like particles were prepared by homogeneous precipitation from boiling aqueous solutions that contained excess urea and 0.075 (Z075) and 0.300 (Z300) M Zn2+. The average sizes of the particles are 37 and 46 mu m, while the average sizes of the crystals are similar to 45 for Z075 and Z300 at 1000 degrees C. Equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies were carried out for the adsorption of RBBR dye from aqueous solution using both types of ZnO in the form of fine powders. The effects of pH, initial dye concentration, contact time and temperature of solution on the adsorption were studied. Langmuir, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models were used to describe the adsorption of RBBR onto ZnO powders. The Langmuir and D-R isotherm models fit the equilibrium data better than the Temkin isotherm model. The monomolecular adsorption capacity of Z075 and Z300 was determined to be 190 and 345 mg g(-1) for RBBR, respectively. The Lagergren first-order, Ritchie second-order kinetic and intra-particle diffusion models were used for the adsorption of the dye onto ZnO powders. The Ritchie second-order model was suitable for describing the adsorption kinetics for the removal of RBBR front aqueous solution onto Z075 and Z300. Thermodynamic parameters, such as the Gibbs free energy (Delta G(#)), enthalpy (Delta H-#), entropy (Delta S-#) and equilibrium constant of activation (K-#) were calculated. These parameters showed that the adsorption process of RBBR onto Z075 and Z300 was an endothermic process of a chemical nature under the studied conditions. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.