Kinetics and thermodynamics of mercury ions sorption onto ZnCl2-MCM-41 sorbent were studied. Several rate models in the form of two main classes of mathematic kinetic models (adsorption reaction models and adsorption diffusion models) were investigated. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, film and intraparticle diffusion models were used to analyze the kinetic data. Results showed that the pseudo-second order model can well describe the adsorption kinetic data. The thermodynamic parameters, such as Gibb's free energy change (Delta G degrees), standard enthalpy change (Delta H degrees) and standard entropy change (Delta S degrees) were also evaluated. Negative value of free energy at temperature range of 20-55 degrees C, indicates the spontaneous nature of Hg(II) sorption by ZnCl2-MCM-41 sorbent. The adsorption capacity which was found to decrease with temperature showed the exothermic nature of the mercury sorption process (Delta H degrees = -49.4 kJ mol(-1)). The negative Delta S degrees value (-148.9J mol(-1) K-1) revealed a decrease in the randomness at the solid/solution interface and also indicated the fast adsorption of the Hg(II) onto active sites. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.