Evaluation of desorption of Pb (II), Cu (II) and Zn (II) from titanium dioxide nanoparticles

► We investigated metal desorption from commercially prepared nano-TiO2. ► Desorption was pH dependent, with faster rate at lower pH values. ► The adsorption affinity trend was: Pb > Zn > Cu. ► Desorption was exothermic and non-spontaneous in most cases. ► Mechanism for Pb desorption was inner-sphere complexation.