Pb(II) sorption on molecular sieve analogues of MCM-41 synthesized from kaolinite and montmorillonite

► Mesoporous molecular sieves were prepared with montmorillonite and kaolinite, respectively. ► The sorption of Pb(II) on to P-M and P-K was strongly dependent on pH values. ► The sorption of Pb(II) on to P-M and P-K is endothermic and spontaneous. ► P-M and P-K are suitable in the removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solutions.