Based on the coupling of biosorption and membrane separation, a low cost membrane-type biosorbent (MBS) of Penicillium biomass was prepared. The surface morphology, pore properties and functional groups were studied via the characterization of MBS. Batch biosorption experiments indicated the maximum biosorption capacity of Cu(II) on MBS was 126.58 mg/g and about 90% of that on chitosan membrane. A plate column reactor filled with multi-layer of MBS was built for treatment of wastewater contaminated by Cu(II). The biosorption process factors were screened using Plackett-Burman design and three significant variables were selected for further optimization via response surface methodology (RSM) based on Box-Behnken model. A statistically second-order polynomial model was constructed with the error below 1.22%, on the basis of which the three-dimensional response surfaces were plotted. The prepared membrane-type biosorbent could be used successfully for 10 biosorption-desorption-regeneration cycles without decreasing its biosorption ability obviously. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.