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A hierarchical zeolite ZSM-5 with micro and meso-pore was prepared by optimising the most affecting parameter in sequence of desilication and dealumination. The physicochemical properties of zeolite were characterised with XRD, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, FTIR and SEM. The potential of this zeolite for decolorisation of CR, RY, MB, RhB, DB-1 and DB-14 was evaluated with adsorption isotherm, thermodynamics, kinetics, and influencing parameter for adsorption. The unique modification of ZSM-5 resulted in lower crystallinity, easier porosity control, rich terminal silanol and unbridged silanol groups which assisted in higher adsorption capacity. The adsorption capacity of the optimum ZSM-5 was 323, 435, 589, 625, 61 and 244 mg/g for CR, RY, MB, RhB, DB-1 and DB-14, respectively. The dye adsorption progressed through pseudo-first-order kinetic and close to the Langmuir model. The adsorption mechanism is proposed mainly through interaction between deprotonated silanol site and the electron-rich dye site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]