The effects of modification by HNO(3) oxidization on the physico-chemical properties of activated carbon fiber (ACF), the adsorption of aniline, pyridine and phenol on ACF and modified ACF, as well as the influence of textural properties on adsorption by comparing ACF with an activated carbon are investigated. The adsorbents are characterized using N(2) adsorption, Boehm titration, diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed desorption. The pore properties of ACF are not significantly changed by the modification; however, it increases greatly the oxygenated acidic groups on the surface of ACF. The uptake for each aromatic compound by the modified ACF is lower than on ACF. This is mainly due to the decrease of dispersive interaction, more water cluster formed to block entry of compounds into micropores or competition between water and compounds adsorbed onto the surface of ACF because of hydrophilic increase of ACF. The maximum uptake for the aromatic compounds decreases with the increase in aqueous solubility of the adsorbates. K, a Langmuir parameter, is indirectly associated with the surface chemistry of ACF. For the aromatic compounds mentioned, the uptake increases with the micropore volume of carbon materials. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.