A B S T R A C TThe present study demonstrates the synthesis of superabsorbent poly (NIPAAm/DAPB/ AA) amphoteric nanohydrogels by inverse microemulsion polymerization and its application for the removal of heavy metal ions such as Pb(II) and Hg(II) from aqueous solution. Difference between with and without metal ions-adsorbed nanohydrogels was characterized by FT-IR, TGA, SEM, and EDX analyses. The particle size distribution of hydrogel nanoparticles was predicted by TEM micrograph to be between 30 and 40 nm. Specific surface area and pore volume of nanohydrogel were investigated with BET and BJH analysis. Maximum removal efficiency of Pb(II) and Hg(II) metal ions was investigated with treatment time, initial metal ion concentrations, pH values, and adsorbent dose. Finally, the equilibrium removal efficiency was analyzed according to the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm model. From the adsorption studies, the maximum removal efficiency of metal ions toward the nanohydrogel was found to be in the following order: Pb(II) > Hg(II).