The preparation, characterization, and adsorption properties of Mn2+ by manganese oxide coated zeolite (MOCZ) and its ability in removing Mn2+ by adsorption were investigated. Characterization analyses were used to monitor the surface properties (and their changes) of the coated layer and metal adsorption sites on the surface of MOCZ. The adsorption experiments were carried out as a function of solution pH, adsorbent concentration and contact time. Binding of Mn2+ ions onto MOCZ was highly pH dependent with an increase in the extent of adsorption with the pH of the media investigated. After the Mn2+ adsorption by MOCZ, the medium pH decreased and enhanced with increasing adsorbent concentration. The pseudo-second-order model fitted better among all the kinetic models suggesting that the adsorption mechanism might be a chemisorption process. The equilibrium data showed excellent correlation for both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm model and this implies both monolayer adsorption and a heterogeneous surface existence in MOCZ. At pH = 6, the Mn2+ uptake by MOCZ attained as high as 1.1 meq Mn2+ g(-1) at equilibrium. The results suggested that MOCZ presents a fairly good potential as an adsorbent for an efficient removal of Mn2+ ions from aqueous solution. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.