The activated carbon with high surface area was prepared by KOH activation from anthracite and used as adsorbent for removal of Cr (VI) from aqueous solution. The pore structure and surface properties were characterized by N2 adsorption at 77K, transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy ( FTIR). Effect of pH and isotherms at different temperature were investigated. Results show that the prepared carbon is a microporous-and mesoporous-adsorbent with developed pore structure and abundant surface oxygen-containing groups. PH value of the solution plays key function on the adsorption. The chemical adsorption dominates the adsorption process. The activated carbon exhibits much higher Cr adsorption capacity than the commercial activated carbon at initial pH of ~3. The equilibrium adsorption data are fitted by both Freundlich model and Langmuir model well.
