The removal of cobalt ion from aqueous solution by Acacia nilotica leaf carbon (HAN), is described. Effect of pH, agitation time and initial concentration on adsorption capacities of HAN was investigated in a batch mode. The adsorption process, which is pH dependent, shows maximum removal of cobalt in the pH range 5 for an initial cobalt concentration of 50 mg.L-1 The experimental data have been analyzed by using the Freundlich, Langmuir, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm models. The batch sorption kinetics have been tested for a pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and Elovich kinetic models. The rate constants of adsorption for all these kinetic models have been calculated. Results showed that the intraparticle diffusion and initial sorption of Co(II) into HAN was the main rate limiting step. The adsorption of cobalt ion was confirmed through instrumental analyses such as scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The desorption and recycling ability of HAN were also found. We conclude that HAN can be used for the efficient removal of cobalt from aqueous solution. (C) 2014 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press. All rights reserved.