A new adsorbent aluminium cobalt oxide (CS-ACO) was synthesized by solution combustion technique. The synthesized product was characterized by various techniques. The adsorption capacity of CS-ACO was higher than that observed with commercial activated carbon. Four anionic dyes namely - Congo red, Orange G, Indigo carmine and Methyl blue were adsorbed on CS-ACO. Congo red showed the maximum adsorption per unit weight of adsorbent. The effect of pH and adsorbent loading on the adsorption kinetics and equilibrium was determined. The controlling mass transfer regimes during the course of adsorption were also identified. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.