Silylated MCM-41 materials were examined to adsorb of ultraviolet (UV) filters from aqueous solution at 303 K. Compared to UV filters adsorbed on unsilylated MCM-41, a much higher adsorption capacity was achieved by silylated MCM-41 materials. Surface modification offers a greater opportunity to adjust both the pore size and surface properties of organic functionalized MCM-41 type materials. In the present study, MCM-41, methyl functionalized MCM-41 (M-MCM-41) and chlorotrimethylsilane end-capped (TMS-M-MCM-41) mesoporous materials were successfully synthesized using sol-gel technology. The structures and properties before and after surface modification were systematically investigated through N-2-adsorption desorption isotherms, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), small angle X-ray powder diffraction analysis (SXRD), and infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). They together confirm that the methyl and trimethyl silyl (TMS) group is chemically bonded to the internal surface of the mesopores. The sorption of UV filters obeys Langmuir and Freundlich sorption isotherms, showing the suitability of silylated MCM-41 as adsorbent for enrichment of UV filters from water. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.