The　adsorption　of　uranium(VI)　onto　bamboo　(Acidosasa　longiligula)　shoot　shell　biochar　(ASBC)　was　investigated　in　batch　experiments　and　the　adsorbent　was　characterized　by　two-dimensional　infrared　correlation　spectroscopy.　The　adsorption　equilibrium　data　followed　the　Langmuir　isotherm　with　maximum　adsorption　capacity　of　32.3 mg g−1　at　298 K.　The　biochar　exhibited　a　high　selectivity　for　uranium(VI)　against　Na+　ions.　Desorption　rate　of　higher　than　90%　was　obtained　over　three　adsorption–desorption　cycles.　The　adsorption　mechanisms　of　uranium(VI)　by　ASBC　involved　surface　complexation　and　cation–π　interaction.　Results　suggested　that　ASBC　was　a　low-cost　and　potential　adsorbent　for　uranium(VI)　isolation　from　aqueous　solution.　©　2018,　Akadémiai　Kiadó,　Budapest,　Hungary.