The physio-chemical properties of paper sludge (PS) were examined using various analytical techniques, such as X-ray fluorescence, X-ray, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and pH of zero-point charge. PS was utilized as an adsorbent to remove lead ions from wastewater. After analyzing multiple factors, the optimal operating conditions for adsorption were determined, including a pH of 10, a contact duration of 20 minutes, a temperature of 20°C, and an adsorbent concentration of 1 g.L-1. The Langmuir isotherm model was found to be the best fit for the experimental results, with an adsorption capacity of qe = 238.09mg.g-1. The research also revealed that the lead adsorption on PS is exothermic and spontaneous, and the adsorption process follows a pseudo-second order kinetics reaction system. The study also looked at the thermodynamic characteristics of the adsorption process.