Nano-ZnO/yeast composites were successfully fabricated by one-step alkali hydrothermal method, and their adsorption properties for Pb2+ ions were also evaluated. Various influencing parameters of nanoZnO/yeast composites, such as initial pH, contact time and initial Pb2+ concentration were investigated, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity of nano-ZnO/yeast composites for Pb2+ (31.72 mg g(-1)) is 2.03 times higher than that of pristine yeast (15.63 mg g(-1)). The adsorption mechanism of nano-ZnO/yeast composites was studied by a series of techniques. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that nano-ZnO is evenly deposited on yeast surface. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis exhibited that the yeast surface is rougher than that of pristine yeast. Energy dispersive X-ray detector (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated the existence of nano-ZnO on yeast surface. Additionally, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements further illustrated that alkali hydrothermal method causes not only the generation and anchorage of nano-ZnO on yeast surface but also the exposure of more functional groups (such as amino, carboxyl groups etc.) on yeast surface, both of which could adsorb Pb2+ via synergistic effect. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.