Adsorption of Pb(II) and Cu(II) from aqueous solution on magnetic porous ferrospinel MnFe2O4

► Magnetic macroporous spinel MnFe2O4 was prepared by a sol-gel process. ► Adsorption capacity obtained 333.3 and 952.4 μmol g−1 for Pb(II) and Cu(II). ► Carboxyl and hydroxyl groups banding on MnFe2O4 were involved in the mechanism.