Amino-functionalized SBA-15 prepared by co-condensation was tested for the removal of copper ions from aqueous solutions under different temperatures, pH, initial concentrations and agitation speeds. The obtained results indicated that the amino-functionalized SBA-15 was very efficient and equilibrium was achieved in less than 30 min at room temperature. The kinetic data was analyzed using four models, namely the first-order, the pseudo first- and second-order and the intraparticle diffusion model. Within the conditions used, the pseudo second-order kinetic model provided the best fit to the experimental data. Applying the intraparticle model showed that the adsorption involved three different stages. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.