In this study, Al(III)-coordinated diamino-functionalized macroporous-mesoporous silica was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, N-2 adsorption-desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Because of well-defined and interconnecting macroporous-mesoporous networks, the resulting adsorbent (MM-SBA) exhibited a significantly better phosphate adsorption performance and faster removal rate, as compared with the mesoporous adsorbent (M-SBA). Based on the Freundlich and Langmuir models, the phosphate adsorption capacity and the maximum adsorption capacity of MM-SBA were 7.99 mg P/g and 23.59 mg P/g, respectively. In the kinetic study of MM-SBA, over 95% of its final adsorption capacity reached in the first I min; whereas that of M-SBA was less than 79%. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.