A hierarchical porous carbon obtained from pig bone (HPC) was utilized as the adsorbent for removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. The effects of solution pH value, concentration of Cr(VI), and adsorption temperature on the removal of Cr(VI) were investigated. The experimental data of the HPC fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm and its adsorption kinetic followed pseudo-second order model. Compared with a commercial activated carbon adsorbent (Norit CGP), the HPC showed an high adsorption capability for Cr(VI). The maximum Cr(VI) adsorption capacity of the HPC was 398.40 mg/g at pH 2. It is found that a part of the Cr(VI) was reduced to Cr(III) on the adsorbent surface from desorption experiment data. The regeneration showed adsorption capacity of the HPC can still achieve 92.70 mg/g even after fifth adsorption cycle. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.