The objective of this study is to assess the uptake of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from aqueous solutions onto activated carbons (AC) produced from wood. Two activated carbons are tested, a KOH-activated carbon and a commercial H3PO4-activated carbon (Acticarbone CXV). The adsorption of Cr(VI) is maximal at the lowest values of pH (pH 3) and increases with temperature for both adsorbents. The KOH-activated carbon shows higher capacity for adsorption of Cr(VI) than Acticarbone. The sorption isotherms fit the Langmuir model accurately. The adsorption reaction was found to obey a pseudo second-order rate. The activation energy and the pre-exponential factor as well as the thermodynamic functions related to adsorption reaction, Delta S degrees, Delta H degrees, Delta G degrees, were determined. Nevertheless, the global reaction rate is probably controlled by the intra-particular diffusion of Cr(VI) and the mass diffusivity of Cr(VI) was evaluated. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.