<p>This study developed a novel nanocomposite (chitosan-based on pyromellitic dihydride and copper oxide nanoparticles) for Pb(II) removal. The adsorbent was strategically designed through multiple stages to optimize compatibility under operating conditions. Key modifications included sequential chemical remodeling to form functional groups (carbonyl and carboxyl groups). The successful incorporation of these functional groups and the creation of a porous and thermally stable material were confirmed using advanced characterization techniques (FTIR, FESEM, EDX, XRD, TGA). The results proved that the modifications significantly enhanced the chemical structure and surface morphology. The removal of Pb (II) in batch adsorption process at equilibrium time (120 min) was investigated and found to be acceptable reaching 95% removal rate via multi removal mechanisms such as chelation, ion exchange, and surface complexation. The study also showed that a slight increase in adsorption capacity occurred with rising temperature due to improving the Pb (II) ion transport to adsorption active sites. However, the economic feasibility of this increase depends on the availability of low-cost heat sources to be acceptable. In the current study, pseudo-second-order model is suitable to describe the kinetic study of Pb (II) on the PMDA-CTs-CuO under chemical behavior. The Langmuir model provided well representation of the adsorption process with maximum adsorption capacity 96 mg/g. However, there is a slight degree of surface heterogeneity and some variation in surface adsorption energies. The process was also described thermodynamically, and it was shown that the adsorption is spontaneous and endothermic with an insignificant degree of randomness.</p>