In this study, a novel hyper-cross-linked HJ-Y10 resin was synthesized and its adsorption behaviors for p-aminobenzoic acid were investigated from aqueous solution. The results indicated that the skeleton surface of Hi-Y10 resin was modified by formaldehyde carbonyl, quinone carbonyl and phenolic hydroxyl groups, the unadjusted p-aminobenzoic acid solution was favorable for the adsorption, the isotherms could be fitted by Langmuir model and the adsorption was an exothermic process, the adsorption kinetics could be characterized by pseudo-second-order rate equation and the initial stage was controlled by the intra-particle diffusion model. Hydrogen bonding between formaldehyde carbonyl, quinone carbonyl groups on Hi-Y10 resin and carboxyl groups of p-aminobenzoic acid was one of the primary driving forces for the adsorption. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.