Adsorption of arsenic on multiwall carbon nanotube-zirconia nanohybrid for potential drinking water purification

► Adsorptive removal of arsenic from water by MWCNT-ZrO2. ► MWCNT-ZrO2 was effective in meeting drinking water standards of 10 μg L−1. ► As(III) and As(V) adsorption described by a pseudo-second order rate equation. ► As(III) and As(V) adsorption fitted both the Langmuir and Freundlich models. ► Higher adsorption capacities than those observed for iron oxide modified sorbents.