In this study, highly ordered mesoporous silica material (SBA-15) functionalized with N-(quinoline-8-yl)2-(3-triethoxysilyl-propylamino)-acetamide (QTPA) as zinc probe has been reported. The anchoring to the surface of the SBA-15 was carried out by the reaction between the precursor and the hydroxyl groups available on the inner surface of the support. The primary ordered mesoporous structure of SBA-15 was well preserved after the grafting procedure. Fluorescence characterization showed that the obtained organic-inorganic hybrid composite displayed highly selective and sensitive to Zn2+ ion over other cations such as Cd2+, Pb2+, Ni2+ and Co2+. And the hybrid material has ideal chemical and spectroscopic properties for further biological and environmental applications. (C) 2010 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.