In this paper, functional monomer methacrylic acid (MAA) was grafted onto the surface of silica gel particles using 3-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (MPS) as intermedia, and grafting particles PMAA/SiO2 were prepared. The adsorption properties and mechanism of PMAA/SiO2 towards aniline were researched through batch and column adsorption methods. The experimental results showed that PMAA/SiO2 possesses strong adsorption ability for aniline with interaction of hydrogen bond. The saturated adsorption amount could reach up to 140 mg g(-1). The empirical Langmuir isotherm was found to agree well with the equilibrium adsorption data. pH and temperature were found to have great influence on the adsorption amount. Finally, PMAA/SiO2 was observed to possess excellent reusability properties as well. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.