The carboxylated multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH) and functionalized with isatin derivative (MWCNT-isatin) have been used as efficient adsorbents for the removal of lead (Pb) from aqueous solutions. The influence of variables including pH, concentration of the lead, amount of adsorbents and contact time was investigated by the batch method. The adsorption of the lead ions from aqueous solution by modified MWCNTs was studied kinetically using different kinetic models. The kinetic data were fitted with pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intra-particle diffusion models. The sorption process with MWCNT-COOH and MWCNT-isatin was well described by pseudo-second-order and pseudo-first-order kinetics, respectively which it was agreed well with the experimental data. Also, it involved the particle-diffusion mechanism. The values of regression coefficient of various adsorption isotherm models like Langmuir, Freundlich and Tempkin to obtain the characteristic parameters of each model have been carried out. The Langmuir isotherm was found to best represent the measured sorption data for both adsorbent.