A novel hierarchical carbon nanotube/bamboo charcoal (CNT/BC) composite material was prepared by growing CNTs onto low-cost bamboo charcoal (BC) with the CVD method. Adsorption of Pb2+ in aqueous solution with a CNT/BC composite was investigated. The results showed that the CNT/BC composite exhibited higher adsorption capacity and faster uptake rate towards aqueous Pb2+ than the pristine BC. The isotherms and kinetics of adsorption can be well described by the Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models, respectively. The CNT/BC composite prepared possesses much better performance for Pb2+ adsorption, higher capacity and rate of adsorption, than other carbon adsorbents, such as activated carbons and CNTs. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.