Abstract: To further extend the application of microcrystalline graphite, the expanded microcrystalline graphite was prepared by oxidation and expansion, and then was used in the treatment of lead bearing wastewater. The effects of initial Pb²⁺ concentration, reaction time, pH and temperature on the adsorption properties of expanded microcrystalline graphite were investigated by static adsorption experiments. The results showed that the expanded microcrystalline graphite was worm-shaped and composed of abundant network pores. The pore size was concentrated at 2~5 nm. The adsorption behavior of expanded microcrystalline graphite on Pb²⁺ was affected by initial concentration, time, pH and temperature. The adsorption capacity of expanded microcrystalline graphite was positively correlated with initial concentration, time and pH, and negatively correlated with temperature. The adsorption process fits well with the Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-first-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic study revealed that adsorption of Pb²⁺ on the expanded microcrystalline graphite was primarily due to a spontaneous exothermic reaction, and the process was mainly controlled by physical adsorption.