Nickel(II) adsorption onto biomass based activated carbon obtained from sugarcane bagasse pith

► Adsorbent for Ni(II) removal prepared from raw sugarcane bagasse pith. ► Activated carbon (SBP-AC) characterized and batch adsorption studies performed. ► Maximum adsorption occurred at pH 6.5. ► Adsorption mechanism is controlled by pH, Ni(II) speciation and pHzpc of SBP-AC. ► Desorption studies were performed to evaluate adsorbent efficiency.