In the present study, the sorption of toxic phenols, which include phenol, o-cresol, m-cresol, p-cresol, o-nitrophenol, m-nitrophenol and p-nitrophenol, has been investigated. The influences of various factors, such as particle size, impregnation of flyash (IFA), pH and temperature on the sorption capacity have been studied. Equilibrium modelling has been carried out using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations and constants have been calculated under different conditions. Thermodynamic studies have also been carried out and values of standard free energy (Delta G degrees), enthalpy (Delta H degrees) and entropy (Delta S) calculated.