In this study a novel adsorbent, maghemite nanoparticles (gamma-Fe2O3), is used for As(V) removal. Maghemite nanoparticles are an exceptional adsorbent material due to its magnetic properties and a good adsorption capacity. The aims of the study were to investigate the Suitability of maghemite nanoparticles for As(V) adsorption and to compare properties of different maghemites and their As(V) adsorption efficiency. Maghemite nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, XPS, TEM, VSM, BET and Zeta potential analyzers. Size of the particles varied from 3.8 to 18.4 nm. Adsorption experiments were carried out with three different kinds of maghemite nanoparticles: (i) commercially available, (ii) homemade with mechanochemical method and (iii) homemade with sol-gel process. All three different kinds of maghemite nanoparticles were successful in removing As(V) from water, one of them reached as high adsorption capacity as 50 mg/g. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.